Principle Investigator

Professor Charles Egbu has extensive experience in Innovation processes and strategy, knowledge management, Decision making processes and team working, Supply Chain management, Refurbishment Management, Construction procurement and Sustainable Construction. He is a co-author of two books in construction Management and Knowledge Management. He has published widely in international journals and conferences. He is also an active member of some of the main professional institutions in the construction industry.

Professor Charles Egbu joined the School of the Built and Natural Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University in January 2002. He was previously a Reader in Construction and Project Management at Leeds Metropolitan University; worked as a Lecturer and Senior Research Fellow at the University College London, UK and as Project Manager and Senior Research Consultant at the Building Research Establishment, UK. He obtained his PhD in Construction Management from the University of Salford, UK. His first degree was in Quantity Surveying from Leeds, where he obtained First Class Honours, and won the Building Magazine award as the Best Student in Quantity Surveying.

He also worked briefly in the industry as a Quantity Surveyor for a large UK contracting firm. He is a corporate member of the Chartered Institute of Building and the Association for Project Management. He is currently a grant holder of the United Kingdom EPSRC (GR/N01323 - £100K) research on "The exploitation of IT for improved teamworking in design and construction teams". Recently completed an internally supported research from Leeds Metropolitan University on "Innovation and Knowledge Management in Diverse Project management Environments". He was also involved in the recently completed European Social Fund (ESF) project on "Knowledge Management Exchange". He also participated in the ESRC (L125251060, £125,548; 1998) project on "Simulator for Innovation in Construction. He has contributed over 100 publications in various international journals and conferences, with many relating to Innovation and Knowledge Management in construction and diverse project management environments, as well as in procurement in construction and the shipping industries. He is a co-editor of the New International Journal of innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. He is a visiting Fellow to the Management, Knowledge and Innovation Research Unit (MKIRU) of the Open University Business School. He is also a member of the W102 (Information and Knowledge Management in Building) and TG47 (Innovation and Knowledge Broker) groups of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). His recent areas of research are in Innovation processes and products, Knowledge management and intangible assets, Decision making processes and teamworking, Supply Chain management, Inventory Management, Refurbishment Management, Construction procurement and Sustainable Construction.

Research Interests

• Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital assets in Diverse Project Management Environments
• Managing Innovations (process, product, technology, service and market) in Construction
• Lean and Agile Management in Construction
• Benchmarking and Key Performance Indicators
• Risk, Quality, Health & Safety Management in Diverse Project Environments
• Refurbishment, Modernisation and Maintenance Management
• Project Management Processes (Including Methodologies), tools & techniques
• Information technology and its impact on team-working, communication and productivity
• Supply Chain and Inventory Management
• Construction procurement practices (including partnering, Prime Contracting, PFI and PPP)
• Strategic Management in Construction
• Skills, knowledge and Competencies for Construction Management
• Education and Training for Improved Performance in Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Construction.

Publications

• Egbu, C. O. (2002) Knowledge management, intellectual capital and innovation: Their association, benefits and challenges for construction organisations. 10th International Symposium: Construction Innovation and Global Competitiveness, W65/W55, September 9th- 13th, 2002, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
• Egbu, C., Gaskell, C. and Howes, J. (2001) The Impact of culture, motivational factors and organisational structure on the utilisation and exploitation of IT for teamworking, 10th International Symposium: Construction Innovation and Global Competitiveness, W65/W55, September 9th- 13th, 2002, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
• Egbu, C., Gaskell, C. and Howes, J. (2001) The role of organisational culture and motivation in the effective utilisation of information technology for teamworking in construction, Proceedings of the 17th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), University of Salford, September 5 to 7, Vol. 1, pp. 91 to 100.
• Egbu, C., Gaskell, C. and Howes, J. (2001) Information technology for improving teamworking in construction: opportunities and challenges for practice and for research, Proceedings of the RICS Foundation: Construction and Building Research Conference (COBRA), Glasgow Caledonian University, 3rd to 5th September, Edited by John Kelly and Kirsty Hunter, pp. Vol.2, 702 to 710.
• Egbu, C. and Botterill, K. (2001) Knowledge management and intellectual capital: Benefits for project based industries, Proceedings of the RICS Foundation: Construction and Building Research Conference (COBRA), Glasgow Caledonian University, 3rd to 5th September, Edited by John Kelly and Kirsty Hunter, vol. 2, pp. 414 to 422.
• Egbu, C., Botterill, K. and Bates, M. (2001) The influence of knowledge management and intellectual capital on organisational innovations, Proceedings of the 17th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), University of Salford, September 5 to 7, Vol. 2, pp. 547 - 556.
• Egbu, C. O, Bates, M. and Botterill, K. (2001) A conceptual research framework for studying knowledge management in project-based environments, Proceedings of the International Postgraduate Research Conference in the Built and Human Environments. 15 - 16th March 2001, University of Salford, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (2001) Knowledge Management and HRM: The role of the Project Manager. Proceedings of PMI Europe 2001 - A Project Management Odyssey, 6 - 7th June 2001, Café Royal, London, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (2001) Managing innovation in construction organisations: An examination of critical success factors. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), 18 to 20th, Burleigh Court International Conference Centre, Loughborough University, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (2000) Knowledge Management in Construction SMEs: Coping with the Issues of Structure, Culture, Commitment and Motivation. 16th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), 6 to 8 September, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. Vol. 1, pp. 83 to 92. ISBN 0 9534161 43.
• Egbu, C. O.; and Bernard, P. (2000) Organizational Core Competencies and their Influence on Strategic Partnering in Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). 16th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), 6 to 8 September, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. Vol. 1, pp. 127 to 135. ISBN 0 9534161 43.
• Egbu, C. O. (2000) The role of tacit and explicit knowledge in improving organisational innovations in architecture, engineering and construction. Proceedings of the Joint Meeting of the CIOB Working Commissions W55 and W65 and Task Groups TG23, TG31 and TG35, held at the Department of Construction Management and Engineering, The University of Reading, UK, September 13 to 15th, 4pp.
• Egbu, C. O. and Serafinska, Z. (2000) Attitudes to Risk Management in Diverse Project management Environments. COBRA 2000, RICS Construction and Building Research Conference: The Millennium Conference, 30 August to 1 September, The University of Greenwich, England, UK, pp 73 to 80. ISBN 1-84219-027-X.
• Egbu, C. O. (2000) Construction Procurement Systems for Refurbishment Projects. COBRA 2000, RICS Construction and Building Research Conference: The Millennium Conference, 30 August to 1 September, The University of Greenwich, England, UK, pp. 81 to 86. ISBN 1-84219-027-X.
• Egbu, C. O. (2000) The Role of IT in Strategic Knowledge Management and its Potential in the Construction Industry. UK National Conference on Objects and Integration for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. 13 to 14th March 2000, BRE, Watford, UK.
• Egbu, C. O.; Sturges, J. and Gorse, C. (2000) Communication of knowledge for innovation within projects and across organisational boundaries. Congress 2000, 15th World Congress on Project Management, 22 to 25th May, Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, UK.
• Egbu, C. O.; Gorse, C. and Emmitt, S. (2000) Innovation and knowledge management: Networks and Networking in the Construction Industry, Proceedings of the CIB W102 Working Group, Finland.
• Egbu, C. O. (2000) Innovation and knowledge management for sustained organisational performance in Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Proceedings of "Detail Design in Construction" Conference, Brighton, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (1999) The Role of Knowledge Management and Innovation in Improving Construction Competitiveness. Building Technology and Management Journal, Volume 25, pp. 1 to 10.
• Egbu, C.O. (1999) Skills, Knowledge and Competencies for Managing Construction Refurbishment Works, Construction Management and Economics Journal, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 29 to 43.
• Sturges, J. L., Egbu, C.O. and Bates M. B. (1999) Innovations in Construction. Construction Industry Development in the new Millennium. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Construction Industry Development, and 1st Conference of CIB TG 29 on Construction in Developing Countries, 27 to 29 October, The Pan Pacific, Singapore.
• Egbu, C.O.; Sturges, J. and Bates, M. (1999) Learning from Knowledge Management and Trans-organizational Innovations in Diverse Project Management Environments. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), Liverpool John Moores University, September 15 to 17, pp. 95 to 103.
• Egbu, C.O. (1999) Mechanisms for Exploiting Construction Innovations to Gain Competitive Advantage. Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), Liverpool John Moores University, September 15 to 17, pp. 115 to 123.
• Egbu, C. O. (1999) Innovations in Construction - Lessons Learned from Four Innovative Organizations. COBRA 1999, RICS Construction and Building Research Conference, The Challenge of Change: Construction and Building for the New Millennium, 1 to 2 September 1999, School of Construction and Property Management, University of Salford, Volume 1, pp. 161 to 169.
• Egbu, C. O. and Young, B. A. (1998) Innovation Management for Refurbishment. Proceedings of the CIB W70 International Symposium on Management, Maintenance & Modernisation of Building facilities. Facilities management and Maintenance: The Way Ahead into the Millennium (Edited by Quah, Lee Kiang), Singapore. 18 to 20 November, pp. 255 to 262.
• Egbu, C. O.; Henry, J; Kaye, G.R.; Quintas, P.; Schumacher, T.R. and Young, B. A. (1998) Innovation in Construction: Building capability through collaboration in project based teams. A paper presented at the Management of Knowledge and Innovation Research Unit (MKIRU) workshop. The Design Council, London, September 30th.
• T.R. Schumacher; R. Kaye; C. Egbu, and B. Young (1998) Training champions with multimedia simulation. A paper presented at the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPM), Vienna, Austria, September 14 to 16.
• T.R. Schumacher; R. Kaye; C. Egbu, and B. Young (1998) Design choices in a multimedia simulation. A paper presented at the Association for Learning Technology Workshop Conference. Oxford, UK. September 21 to 23.
• Egbu, C. O.; Henry, J; Kaye, G.R.; Quintas, P.; Schumacher, T.R. and Young, B. A. (1998) Managing organisational innovations in construction. Proceedings of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), University of Reading, UK. 9 to 11 September, 1998.
• Egbu, C. O., Young, B. A. and Torrance, V. B. (1998) Planning and control processes and techniques for refurbishment management. The Journal of Construction Management and Economics (CME), Vol. 16, No. 3, May, pp. 315 to 325.
• Egbu, C. O. (1998) Attitudes to UK construction procurement systems for refurbishment work, CIB World Building Congress, 1998, Gavle, Sweden, June 7 to 12; Legal and Procurement Practices: Right for the Environment, Symposium C, pp. 1557 to 1564.
• Egbu, C. O.; Henry, J; Kaye, G.R.; Quintas, P.; Schumacher, T.R. and Young, B. A. (1998) Cultural and managerial aspects of construction innovations. The 3rd International Congress on Construction - 'Construction 21', 21 to 22 May, Singapore, pp. 93 to 97.
• Egbu, C. O. (1997) Refurbishment management: Challenges and opportunities. Building Research and Information, The International Journal of Research, Development and Demonstration, Vol. 25, No. 6, Nov/Dec, pp. 338 to 347.
• Egbu, C. O, Torrance, V. B. and Young, B. A. (1996) The procurement of project works in the ship refurbishment and construction industries, Proceedings of CIB W92 symposium, North meets South: Developing Ideas, Durban, South Africa, pp.130 to 140, 14 to 17 January.
• Egbu, C. O., Young B. A. and Torrance, V. B. (1996) Refurbishment Management Practices in the Shipping and Construction Industries, Building Research and Information, The International Journal of Research, Development and Demonstration, Vol. 24, No. 6, Nov/Dec, pp. 329 to 338.
• Egbu, C. O. (1996) Characteristics and Difficulties Associated with Refurbishment, Construction Papers, No.66, The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (1996) Management Education and Training for Construction Refurbishment, Construction Papers, No.69, The Chartered Institute of Building, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (1996) Refurbishment Management in the Shipping and Construction Industries: A Comparative Study, The Journal for Refurbishment and Restoration: Refurbishment Projects, pp.92 to 93, October. 30.
• Egbu, C. O., Young, B. A. and Torrance, V. B. (1996) Planning, Control and Decision Making Functions in Construction and Ship Refurbishment Management, Proceedings of the12th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), 11 to 13 September, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.
• Egbu, C. O. (1996) Education and training background of construction refurbishment managers, Construction Papers, No.57, 7pp. Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). UK.
• Young, B. A; Egbu, C. O. and Torrance, V. B. (1996) Managing Refurbishment Projects in the Construction and Shipping Industries, 2nd International Congress on Construction: Productivity in construction: International experiences, 5/6 November, Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore, pp. 201 to 206.
• Egbu, C. O. (1995) Perceived degree of difficulty of management tasks in construction refurbishment work, Building Research and Information, Volume 23, No.6, pp.340 to 343.
• Egbu, C. O. (1995) Management Education and Training for Construction Refurbishment: Are We Meeting the Challenges? Proceedings of the 11th Annual conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction management (ARCOM) 18 to 20 September, University of York, UK.,Vol. 1, pp 53 to 62.
• Egbu, C. O. (1995) Skills, Knowledge and Personal Qualities for Managing Refurbishment Work, The Journal of Repair, Replacement and Maintenance. Sheen Publishing Ltd., Essex, England, May/June, pp 52 to 53.
• DOE (1995) Learning to Lead, Commissioned Report. Ed. The Bartlett, University College London (UCL) and The Building Research Establishment (BRE).
• Egbu, C. O. (1994) Management Education and Training for Refurbishment Works within the Construction Industry, Ph.D. Thesis, Vols. I and II, Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, University of Salford, UK.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1994) Refurbishment Management: The Way Forward, Proceedings of CIB W70 International Symposium on management and modernisation of building facilities, 2, pp. 1325 to 1332, 26 to 28 October, Tokyo, Japan.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1994) Refurbishment Management, Proceedings of the First International Conference: Changing Roles of Contractors in Asia Pacific Rim, 9 to 10 May, Hong Kong, pp 111 to 118.
• Young B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1994) Managing in a Refurbishment Environment: 10th Annual Conference, ARCOM, 14 to 16 September, Loughborough, pp 285 to 294.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1993), Education and Training for Refurbishment Management in the U.K. Construction Industry, Proceedings of CIB W65 International Symposium: Management of Construction, 2, pp. 1283-1288, 15 to 25 September, St. Augustine, Trinidad, West Indies.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1993), The Characteristics and Difficulties Associated with Refurbishment and the Need for Education and Training from a Management Perspective, Proceedings of 9th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), 14 to 16 Sept., Oxford University, U.K. ,pp. 338 to 350.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1992), An Assessment of the Need for Research in the Management of Refurbishment, Proceedings of CIB W70 Symposium on Management, Maintenance and Modernisation of Buildings, 28 to 30 October, Rotterdam, Holland, Vol. 9,Theme 13.5.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1992), Managing Refurbishment: A Tall Order, Proceedings of the International Conference: Tall Buildings: Reach for the Sky, 28 to 30 July, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pp.297 to 302.
• Young, B. A. and Egbu, C. O. (1992), A Need for Appropriate Management Training and Education for Refurbishment Within the Construction Industry, Proceedings of 8th Annual Conference of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM), 18 to 20 September, Douglas, Isle of Man, U.K., pp.261 to 272.