IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i12p9791-d1174620.html

An Approach for Measuring Complexity Degree of International Engineering Projects

Author

Listed:
  • Qianqian Ju

    (School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Yankun Sun

    (School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Ran Chen

    (School of Management, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

Abstract

With the increasing trend of globalization, countries actively join the international engineering market, increasing the complexity of projects. An appropriate method for assessing project complexity can help project managers recognize the current situation and solve problems. However, existing complexity studies ignored the contribution of human element. The impact of human activities on the complexity of socio-economic systems is concerned in the Harmony Management Theory (HMT), therefore, this study proposed a complexity measurement based on the Harmony Management Theory. Firstly, an evaluation indicator system including three dimensions of organizational, technological, and environmental complexity is proposed through a literature review, Back-Propagation Neural Network-Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (BP-DEMATEL) method, and Interval-valued intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IIFS) are used to calculate complexity scores. Then, a case study of Yawan high-speed railway project is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) The complexity measurement based on harmony theory can be carried out from three aspects: Organization, technology, and environment. (2) The overall complexity performance of case project is 0.52, showing a medium level. (3) Technical complexity is the most important factor of the case project. The method proposed in this study can identify the influencing factors of complexity and calculate the comprehensive evaluation value of complexity. Based on the final quantified results, managers can formulate appropriate measures and match the project with appropriate resources so as to improve the performance of International Engineering Projects (IEPs).

Suggested Citation

  • Qianqian Ju & Yankun Sun & Ran Chen, 2023. "An Approach for Measuring Complexity Degree of International Engineering Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9791-:d:1174620
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9791/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9791/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hualou Long & Yingnan Zhang & Li Ma & Shuangshuang Tu, 2021. "Land Use Transitions: Progress, Challenges and Prospects," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Jaroslav Vrchota & Petr Řehoř & Monika Maříková & Martin Pech, 2020. "Critical Success Factors of the Project Management in Relation to Industry 4.0 for Sustainability of Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Nguyen Van Tam & Tran Ngoc Diep & Nguyen Quoc Toan & Nguyen Le Dinh Quy, 2021. "Factors affecting adoption of building information modeling in construction projects: A case of Vietnam," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 1918848-191, January.
    4. José R. San Cristóbal & Luis Carral & Emma Diaz & José A. Fraguela & Gregorio Iglesias, 2018. "Complexity and Project Management: A General Overview," Complexity, Hindawi, vol. 2018, pages 1-10, October.
    5. Shoujing Zhang & Xiaofan Qin & Sheng Hu & Qing Zhang & Bochao Dong & Jiangbin Zhao, 2020. "Importance Degree Evaluation of Spare Parts Based on Clustering Algorithm and Back-Propagation Neural Network," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2020, pages 1-13, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kang, Xi & Li, Saiyong & Chaivirutnukul, Kanchaya, 2025. "A study on the impact of entrepreneurial bricolage on enterprise performance management using the BPNN-DEMATEL method and social network analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cong Wang & Xiaohan Zhang & Liwei Liu, 2025. "Land Use Change in the Russian Far East and Its Driving Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Lucía Muñoz-Pascual & Carla Curado & Jesús Galende, 2021. "Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis on the Adoption of Environmental Practices: Exploring Technological- and Human-Resource-Based Contributions," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(13), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Xinyao Li & Lingzhi Wang & Bryan Pijanowski & Lingpeng Pan & Hichem Omrani & Anqi Liang & Yi Qu, 2022. "The Spatio-Temporal Pattern and Transition Mode of Recessive Cultivated Land Use Morphology in the Huaibei Region of the Jiangsu Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Rajesh Savio, 2022. "Between Success and Failure: Integrating Agile Project Management Methods with PRINCE2 Framework for the Enhanced Management of Imperfect Projects," Eximia Journal, Plus Communication Consulting SRL, vol. 5(1), pages 24-32, July.
    5. Juan Camilo Gutierrez & Sonia Isabel Polo Triana & Juan Sebastian León Becerra, 2025. "Benefits, challenges, and limitations of inventory control using machine learning algorithms: literature review," OPSEARCH, Springer;Operational Research Society of India, vol. 62(3), pages 1140-1172, September.
    6. Changchang Liu & Chuxiong Deng & Zhongwu Li & Yaojun Liu & Shuyuan Wang, 2022. "Optimization of Spatial Pattern of Land Use: Progress, Frontiers, and Prospects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-22, May.
    7. Bonoua Faye & Guoming Du & Edmée Mbaye & Chang’an Liang & Tidiane Sané & Ruhao Xue, 2023. "Assessing the Spatial Agricultural Land Use Transition in Thiès Region, Senegal, and Its Potential Driving Factors," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-20, March.
    8. Jianhui Dong & Wenju Yun & Kening Wu & Shaoshuai Li & Bingrui Liu & Qiaoyuan Lu, 2023. "Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Cultivated Land from 2010 to 2020 in Long’an County, Karst Region, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, February.
    9. Xinhai Lu & Yuejiao Chen & Xiangyu Fan & Xinpeng Liu, 2024. "Effects of Land Use Transition on Regional Ecological Environment—A Case Study of Zhaosu County, Xinjiang," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, December.
    10. Yi Xiao & Yuantao Liao & Zhe Li & Zhuojun Li & Shaojian Wang, 2023. "Impacts of Land Urbanization on CO 2 Emissions: Policy Implications Based on Developmental Stages," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, October.
    11. Yaotao Xu & Peng Li & Jinjin Pan & Yi Zhang & Xiaohu Dang & Xiaoshu Cao & Junfang Cui & Zhi Yang, 2022. "Eco-Environmental Effects and Spatial Heterogeneity of “Production-Ecology-Living” Land Use Transformation: A Case Study for Ningxia, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, August.
    12. Mingli Zhang & Letian Ning & Juanling Li & Yanhua Wang, 2025. "Study on Spatial Pattern Changes and Driving Factors of Land Use/Cover in Coastal Areas of Eastern China from 2000 to 2022: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, October.
    13. Yin Ma & Minrui Zheng & Xinqi Zheng & Yi Huang & Feng Xu & Xiaoli Wang & Jiantao Liu & Yongqiang Lv & Wenchao Liu, 2023. "Land Use Efficiency Assessment under Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, April.
    14. Bergsma, Ritsaart & de Ruijt, Corné & Bhulai, Sandjai, 2025. "A systematic review of machine learning approaches in inventory control optimization," Operations Research Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 15(C).
    15. Dimitris Goussios & Dimitra Gaki & Prodromos Mardakis & Ioannis Faraslis, 2024. "New Possibilities for Planning the Recovery of Abandoned Agricultural Land in Mediterranean Mountain Communities: The Case of Troodos in Cyprus," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, December.
    16. Rumeng Yin & Xin Li & Bin Fang, 2023. "The Relationship between the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Land Use Function and the Level of Economic and Social Development in the Yangtze River Delta," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-23, January.
    17. Yongqiang Liu & Shuang Wang & Zipeng Chen & Shuangshuang Tu, 2022. "Research on the Response of Ecosystem Service Function to Landscape Pattern Changes Caused by Land Use Transition: A Case Study of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-20, May.
    18. Roshayati Abdul Hamid, 2022. "The Role of Employees’ Technology Readiness, Job Meaningfulness and Proactive Personality in Adaptive Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-16, November.
    19. Jing Han & Mengying Jiang & Xupeng Zhang & Xinhai Lu, 2021. "Knowledge Mapping Analysis of Transnational Agricultural Land Investment Research," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    20. Bonoua Faye & Guoming Du & Ru Zhang, 2022. "Efficiency Analysis of Land Use and the Degree of Coupling Link between Population Growth and Global Built-Up Area in the Subregion of West Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-21, June.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9791-:d:1174620. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.