Dr Amin Akhavan Tabassi

My profile

Biography

Dr Amin Akhavan Tabassi is currently a senior lecturer at the Business School-Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and the MSc Project Management Programme Leader. He was working as an Associate Professor in the area of Project Management at Universiti Sains Malaysia prior to joining MMU.
He holds a Ph.D. degree in Project Management and has also a graduate degree in Project Management and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering. Amin has over 16 years of experience in the areas of civil engineering and project management. He has also been bestowed the global credential PMP from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the year 2013. His research interests extend to the areas of leadership, conflict management, contract and procurement management, construction human resource management and development, teamwork, and sustainable housing development. He has over 24 ISI and Scopus journal publications, over 22 indexed, peer-reviewed journal and conference proceedings, and a few book chapters. He has acted as the leader on four research projects in the areas of “leadership”, “conflict management” and “PMs Challenges” in the construction industry and as academic support and supervisor on 3 KTP projects.

PhD Supervision

He is currently available to supervise postgraduate research (PGR) students in the following areas:

  • Project Management
  • Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Project Management Efficiency
  • Agile Project Management 
  • Leadership Styles in Multicultural Project Teams

Prizes and Awards

Other academic service (administration and management)

- Assistant Dean, School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia (2019)

- Head of Academy Group, School of Housing, Building & Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia (2018-2019)

- Honorary Lecturer at University of Liverpool (2013-2019)

- Post Doctoral Fellow Grade DS51 at the school of Housing, Building, and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia; (2010- 2011).

External examiner roles

Thesis Examiner:

  1. Digital innovation Barriers effect on Innovation orientation in Syrian Construction Firms
  2. The Effects of Learning Styles on Building Information Modelling (BIM) Adoption: A Case Study of the National Centre For Engineering Consultancy (NCEC) in Iraq
  3. The Adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Impact on Corporate Image in Small and Medium Sized Construction Companies in Egypt
  4. Human Resource Management Practices on Project Performance of Libyan Construction Industry: Mediating role of Organizational Commitment
  5. The Effect of Language Proficiency to Foreign Worker’s Safety on Construction Site
  6. Assisting Tool for Energy Efficient Renovation of Residential Buildings
  7. The Impact Of Quality Management On Project Success In The Upstream Sector Of The Nigerian Oil And Gas Industry
  8. How the Organizational Culture Associated with Project Management Could Mitigate Project Delays and Overruns in Expenditure in Nigeria’s Construction Industry. A Case Study of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.
  9. Linear Framework For Process Optimization Exploring The Manufacturing System Linear Performance Impact On Energy
  10. Ethics in the South African construction industry: A case study of a State Owned Enterprise (SOE)
    An Investigation into effective Humanitarian Support Management to the Internally Displaced Persons – A Case study of West of Iraq
  11. Sustainable urbanisation development: the challenges of asset management of quality supply water and waste water infrastructure - the case of Addis Ababa / Ethiopia
  12. Managing Instrumentation & Control Projects in Oil & Gas Industry
  13. Exploring organizational capability through a Project Management Office
  14. Performance evaluation of indigenous contractors engaged in education sector construction projects in Zambia
  15. Extent of maturity & standards of project management practices in not-for-profit organizations
  16. Procurement Strategy and Supply Chain Management in the FMCG Industry, Focusing on Europe
  17. The impact of Commissioning Management on the quality of buildings services on construction projects
  18. An Assessment Of Critical Success Factors For Petroleum Project Portfolios In Niger-Delta Of Nigeria; A Case Study Of Deep Water Petroleum Project Portfolio
  19. Perceptions of Project Managers Regarding the impact of Scheduling Changes on Project Team Performance in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry’s Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Projects
  20. The improvement of risk management in projects: Stakeholder Management in the viewpoint of Risk Management, using the case study of the Western Link Project
  21. Procurement Strategy and Supply Chain Management in the FMCG Industry, Focusing on Europe
  22. The Strategic Impact of Customer Relationship Management on Projects
  23. Project Management Processes, The Adoption and The Influence On Project Management Success in the Mauritian Construction Companies
  24. Value Management and Value Management Workshops: a combined technique focusing on the inception, feasibility and strategic stages of the project. Can the project manager use this tool as a good foundation for successfully completed construction projects?
  25. An Investigation into the progression of procurement officials into CEO position? A Uganda case study
    An investigation into the factors associated with the high failure rate of IT projects – A South African perspective
  26. Assessing the Relationship Between Humanistic Leadership in Project Management and the Project Success Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM)
  27. The Critical Factors of Housing Demand of Low-Income Households: A Case of the District 20, Tehran, Iran

Community, charity and NGO links

- Project Management Institute (PMI) of USA

Prizes and awards

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2017

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2016

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2014

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2013

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2012

- Anugerah Sanggar Sanjung USM, 2011

- Post Doctoral Fellow award from University Science Malaysia 2010.

- University Science Malaysia Fellowship award from 2007-2010.

Membership of professional associations

- Project Management Institute (PMI) of USA, 2013-Present time

- IEEE Membership, 2014-2015

- Construction Engineering Organization of Iran. 2004- Present time

Projects

Being Lean and Seen: meeting the challenges of delivering projects successfully in the 21st century

Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)

From: European Commission

€ 328,500

(2017-2019)

Leader of Malaysia Cluster

Advancing Our Understanding of Conflict Management on Teamwork Performance in the Construction Industry

RUI USM

(University Grant)

RM175,275 4 years (2015-2019) Leader
Extending the Conflict Management Theory to the Transformational Leadership Theory in  Construction Industry

Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)

From: The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia

RM80,000

3 years (2013-2016)

Leader

Transformational Leadership and Teamwork Improvement in

Malaysian Construction Industry

RUI USM

(University Grant)

RM60,350

1.5 Year

(2012-2014)

Leader

Communication of Construction Health and Safety Information in Design Phase USM Short term Grant RM40,000 1 Year

Researcher

Modelling a successful project portfolio management in Malaysian construction industry

Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)

From: The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia

RM50,000

2 Years

(2013-2015)

Researcher

Sustainable Development of

Construction Leadership in Malaysian Construction Industry

Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS)

From: The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia

RM 50,000

2.5 Years

(2011-2014)

Researcher

Assessing the leadership Style in Construction Industry in Malaysia USM Short Term Grant RM 31,200

1 Year

(2011-2012)

Researcher

KTP Research Projects:

KTP: ‘Transport information digitisation’, Rasic Ltd
Their deployment of the Rail Demand Information System (RDIS) will be the fastest ‘national’ deployment of a system in the history of UK rail. Need to address their organisational structure, strategic thinking and tactical decision-making when bringing products to market and establishing operationalisation routes. This will address inefficiencies, eliminate waste, duplication and improve product value via process optimisation, their digital agility, and future competitive advantage.

Atheon: Digital operationalisation and growth framework -Funding Body KTN

Delivery of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to develop and embed a novel digital operationalisation and growth framework that will support Atheon in exploring         and exploiting lucrative growth opportunities in related sectors and markets

F-Parkinson Delivery of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to embed a management strategy that will transform F Parkinson into an ambidextrous organisation, able to dynamically create and capture greater value for the organisation, its stakeholders and the construction industry profession in the UK.

Teaching

Supervision

Past PGR Supervision by Research:

PhD: Improvement of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and implementation

PhD: Evaluate the Position of Passive Defence in the Sustainable Development of the Construction Industry

PhD: Examining issues of the International Human Resource Management (IHRM) in Multinational Enterprise in a Multicultural Management Environment

PhD: Assessment and Factor Analysis of Empowerment Concept as a New Managerial Philosophy in Construction Industry of Iran

PhD: Sustainable On-Campus Housing: Satisfaction-Performance Relationship

PhD: The impact of knowledge management on growth performance of Malaysian construction companies

MSc by Research: A Study of Conflict Management in the Construction Industry of Malaysia

Past PGR Supervision by coursework/mixed-mode:

MSc: Glass as a Sustainable Material to Design Modern Building Facades in Seismic Areas

MSc: Integrated of Maintenance and Management Approaches in Building Operation System of Kolej Komuniti

MSc: Identifying the common risk factors causing cost overruns in construction projects and appropriate mitigation measures for the construction industry

MSc: Avoid the risk of needing to apply changes after project completion in the hotel and leisure industry

MSc: Exploring the influence of leadership behaviours on employees’ motivation in IT helpdesk departments

MSc: Benefits and drawbacks to implementing relational contracting in infrastructure projects: Case studies of Qatar and the United Kingdom

MSc: Evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of Urban Rail Transit Systems in the UAE

MSc: A Comparative Study of Leadership Styles in the Army Finance Corp and the National Assembly in Nigeria

MSc: Impact of leadership style and communication skills of the Project Manager on success of the project on expatriate assignment.

MSc: Project Management Maturity: A Case Study within Engineering and Construction Organizations in the Netherlands

MSc: Improvement of company performance in the construction field in Croatia: An analysis of project management knowledge and teamwork

MSc: An assessment of leadership styles of executive team leaders and senior project managers involved in the implementation of the home health monitoring limited production rollout project in British Columbia.

MSc: The Role of Value Engineering (VE) Applications in the project planning stage to enhance the construction projects’ Sustainability: A case of the Middle East’s Construction Projects

MSc: An investigation into the causes of delays in the large construction projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: factors, effects and mitigation methods

MSc: The effects of contract management practices on oil & gas supply chains in Qatar

MSc: Green Architecture in the Project Management landscape: An approach to lifecycle integration

MSc: Ethical Negotiations in EPC Project Procurement Activities in the Oil and Gas Industry

MSc: Influence of Procurement Routes, Tendering Procedures and Contract Types in Delivering Successful Mega Projects

MSc: Risks of Global Sourcing in Adopting JIT Lean Procurement by SMEs: A Case Study of UAE

MSc: Lean Strategic Sourcing for Oil and Gas Companies in Qatar

MSc: The relationship between the role of PMOs and achieving the TBL of construction sector in Kuwait

MSc: Identification of risk management practices within the Canadian Large Scale Construction projects.

MSc: Pathway to meet an effective public privet partnership (PPP) contractual agreement in construction and infrastructure projects

MSc: Investigating the risks involved in the procurement process of construction and infrastructure projects in Uganda

MSc: Empirical Analysis of Non-Traditional Procurement Methods for Construction Projects in the Public Sector in Nigeria.

MSc: How do Brazilian Construction Companies Learn?

MSc: Project Management Capabilities Impact on Project Success for Scandinavian Clients and Asian Contractor Executed Upstream Facilities Projects

MSc: Sustainable Management Systems for Infrastructural Facility Development in Nigeria.

MSc: The Role of Leadership in Sustaining Quality Project Delivery in Organisations

MSc: Risks Resulting From Non-Implementation of Cost Control Measures in Medium and Small Sized Projects

MSc: Challenges and benefits of implementing LEED for Commercial Interiors in office interiors in Dubai, UAE

MSc: Factors Affecting Selection of KPIs for Project Delivery Management in Publicly Owned Energy Companies in Canada

MSc: Identification of Project Management Process Groups that Present the Most Challenges to Road Construction and Maintenance Projects in Liberia

MSc: Can IT and software narrow the gaps in Project management control for the construction industry?

MSc: Sustainable Procurement in the Automotive Supply Chain: value creation through improved risk management and trust

MSc: How collaboration affects the level of performance when partial integrated

MSc: project delivery system is adopted in the traditional DBB: A case study of road construction project

MSc: Construction of Public Building Works-What Makes the Delay of Handover in Botswana

MSc: The Importance of Selecting the Correct Project Delivery Strategy in Large Construction Projects

MSc: Impact of Integration Management and Stakeholder Management of Infrastructure Project Management Performance in Qatar

MSc: Study on Lean management concept in the construction industry

MSc: Stakeholders’ Management in Infrastructure Projects

MSc: How do Nigerian construction companies use e-procurement within their organizations?

MSc: Restructuring procurement process of the National Oil Company of Mozambique, PETROMOC, for better financial resource efficiency.

MSc: External Factors of Delay that Affect the Performance of Foreign Construction Contractors in Kuwait

MSc: Sustainable Procurement Management in Infrastructure and Construction Projects in Canada

MSc: The influence of Enterprise Risk Management Implementation on projects’ cost and time in the construction industry of Kuwait

MSc: Influence of job satisfaction on organisational commitment in the Business Process Outsourcing sector of Mauritius: A comparative study

MSc: Talent Management Challenges in Developing Countries: The Case study of Equatorial Guinea

MSc: Investigate the patterns adopted by managers to manage diverse workforces in multinational companies in Dubai

MSc: Causes of Delay in Construction projects in the State of Qatar Due to Mismanagement of Resources and Possible Solutions

MSc: Exploring the impact of traditional project management practice on modern methods of construction: A phenomena of resistance to change

Research outputs

  • Books (authored/edited/special issues)

    Awang, H., Mydin, M.A.O. (2016) Construction Methods And Technology (Penerbit USM). Penerbit USM.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2011) Emerging Issues in the Natural and Applied Sciences. Progress IPS LLC.

  • Chapters in books

    Bakar, A.H.A., Roosli, R., Kamal, E.M., Rashid, Z.Z.A. (2018) 'Chapter 4.' A Complete Guide to Academic Research In Built Environment and Engineering (Penerbit USM). Penerbit USM,

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2018) 'Chapter 9.' A Complete Guide to Academic Research In Built Environment and Engineering (Penerbit USM). Penerbit USM,

  • Journal articles

    Akhavan Tabassi, A., Bryde, D.J., Michaelides, R., Bamford, D., Argyropoulou, M. (2024) 'Leaders, conflict, and team coordination: a relational leadership approach in temporary organizations.' Production Planning and Control,

    Tabassi, A.A., Roufechaei, K.M., Ramli, M., Bakar, A.H.A., Ismail, R., Pakir, A.H.K. (2020) 'Leadership competences of sustainable construction project managers.' Journal of Cleaner Production, 124pp. 339-349.

    Yusof, N., Tabassi, A.A., Kamal, E.M. (2020) 'Do environmental, economic and reputational advantages strengthen green practices' impact on environmental performance?.' Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(5) pp. 2081-2093.

    Yusof, N., Tabassi, A.A., Esa, M. (2019) 'Going beyond environmental regulations—The influence of firm size on the effect of green practices on corporate financial performance.' Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1) pp. 32-42.

    Tabassi, A.A., Abdullah, A., Bryde, D.J. (2019) 'Conflict Management, Team Coordination, and Performance Within Multicultural Temporary Projects: Evidence From the Construction Industry.' Project Management Journal, 50(1) pp. 101-114.

    Oual, M.S., Tabassi, A.A., Hassan, A.S. (2018) 'Thermal Comfort in Semi-Outdoor Studying Spaces: A case study of Universiti Sains Malaysia.' IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 401

    Tabassi, A.A., Bryde, D.J., Abdullah, A., Argyropoulou, M. (2017) 'Conflict Management Style of Team Leaders in Multi-Cultural Work Environment in the Construction Industry.' Procedia Computer Science, 121pp. 41-46.

    Tabassi, A.A., Roufechaei, K.M., Bakar, A.H.A., Yusof, N. (2017) 'Linking Team Condition and Team Performance: A Transformational Leadership Approach.' Project Management Journal, 48(2) pp. 22-38.

    Tabassi, A.A., Argyropoulou, M., Roufechaei, K.M., Argyropoulou, R. (2016) 'Leadership Behavior of Project Managers in Sustainable Construction Projects.' Procedia Computer Science, 100pp. 724-730.

    Angelina, L., Tabassi, A.A. (2015) 'Building maintenance management services for indoor environmental quality and user contentment; case study of bus terminals in Malaysia.' Jurnal Teknologi, 75(5) pp. 77-81.

    Najib, N.U.M., Yusof, N.A., Tabassia, A.A. (2015) 'Living in On-campus Student Housing: Students' behavioural intentions and students' personal attainments.' ASIAN CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENT-BEHAVIOUR STUDIES (ACE-BS 2014 SEOUL), 170pp. 494-503.

    Pournader, M., Tabassi, A.A., Baloh, P. (2015) 'A three-step design science approach to develop a novel human resource-planning framework in projects: The cases of construction projects in USA, Europe, and Iran.' International Journal of Project Management, 33(2) pp. 419-434.

    Che Hasim, N.H., Tabassi, A.A. (2015) 'The occurrence of building defects uring defect liability period (DLP).' Jurnal Teknologi, 75(5) pp. 33-37.

    Tabassi, A.A., Ramli, M., Bakar, A.H.A., Pakir, A.H.K. (2014) 'Transformational leadership and teamwork improvement: The case of construction firms.' Journal of Management Development, 33(10) pp. 1019-1034.

    Roufechaei, K.M., Abu Bakar, A.H., Tabassi, A.A. (2014) 'Energy-efficient design for sustainable housing development.' Journal of Cleaner Production, 65pp. 380-388.

    Tabassi, A.A., Abu Bakar, A.H., Yusof, N. (2014) 'Reducing Earthquake Fatalities and Destructions in Iran: A Project Management Perception.' The East Asian Journal of Business Management, 4(1) pp. 25-35.

    Tabassi, A.A., Ramli, M., Roufechaei, K.M., Tabasi, A.A. (2014) 'Team development and performance in construction design teams: An assessment of a hierarchical model with mediating effect of compensation.' Construction Management and Economics, 32(9) pp. 932-949.

    Mohammad Ropi, R., Tabassi, A.A. (2014) 'Study on maintenance practices for school buildings in Terengganu and Kedah, Malaysia.' MATEC Web of Conferences, 10

    Awg Husaini, A.I., Tabassi, A.A. (2014) 'Performance assessment of maintenance practices in government office buildings: Case study of parcel E, Putrajaya.' MATEC Web of Conferences, 10

    Ramli, M., Tabassi, A.A., Hoe, K.W. (2013) 'Porosity, pore structure and water absorption of polymer-modified mortars: An experimental study under different curing conditions.' Composites Part B: Engineering, 55pp. 221-233.

    Abu Bakar, A.H., Tabassi, A.A., Abd. Razak, A., Yusof, M.N. (2012) 'Key factors contributing to growth of construction companies: A Malaysian experience.' World Applied Sciences Journal, 19(9) pp. 1295-1304.

    Pakir, A.H.K., Tabassi, A.A., Ramli, M., Bakar, A.H.A., Roufechaei, K.M. (2012) 'Sustainable housing development and leadership: A review.' Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 6(12) pp. 385-395.

    Tabassi, A.A. (2012) 'Effects of training and motivation practices on teamwork improvement and task efficiency: The case of construction firms.' Human Resource Management International Digest, 20(3) pp. 100-117.

    Ramli, M., Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2012) 'Effects of Different Curing Regimes on Engineering Properties of Polymer-Modified Mortar.' Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 24(4) pp. 468-478.

    Ramli, M., Tabassi, A.A. (2012) 'Influences of Polymer Modification and Exposure Conditions on Chloride Permeability of Cement Mortars and Composites.' Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 24(2) pp. 216-222.

    Ramli, M., Tabassi, A.A. (2012) 'Mechanical behaviour of polymer-modified ferrocement under different exposure conditions: An experimental study.' Composites Part B: Engineering, 43(2) pp. 447-456.

    Ramli, M., Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2012) 'Effects of polymer modification on the permeability of cement mortars under different curing conditions: A correlational study that includes pore distributions, water absorption and compressive strength.' Construction and Building Materials, 28(1) pp. 561-570.

    Tabassi, A.A., Ramli, M., Abu Bakar, A.H. (2012) 'Effects of training and motivation practices on teamwork improvement and task efficiency: The case of construction firms.' INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, 30(2) pp. 213-224.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A., Hassan Abu Bakar, A. (2010) 'Towards assessing the leadership style and quality of transformational leadership.' Journal of Technology Management in China, 5(3) pp. 245-258.

    Tabassi, A.A., Bakar, A.H.A. (2009) 'Training, motivation, and performance: The case of human resource management in construction projects in Mashhad, Iran.' International Journal of Project Management, 27(5) pp. 471-480.

  • Conference papers

    Michaelides, R., Akhavan Tabassi, A., Michaelides, Z. (2023) 'Lean and seen behavioural aspects in management of projects in developing countries: a systemic approach.' 3/7/2023 - 5/7/2023.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2023) 'A special breed of transformational leadership? Integrating conflict management and ethnicity into team coordination in multicultural temporary environments.' 14/6/2023 - 16/6/2023.

    Mohseni, M. (2019) 'Complexity Factors In Mega Projects: A Literature Review.' In ICRP 2019 - 4th International Conference on Rebuilding Place. Cognitive-Crcs,

    Tabassi, A.A. (2019) 'Challenges For Project Management In The 21st Century.' In ICRP 2019 - 4th International Conference on Rebuilding Place. Cognitive-Crcs,

    Najib, N.M., Yusof, N., Tabassi, A.A. (2018) 'Service quality performance of student housing: The effects on students' behavioural intentions.' 2018-January. pp. 204-209.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2017) 'Conflict Management Style of Team Leaders in Multi-Cultural Work Environment in the Construction Industry.' In International Conference on Project Management (ProjMAN). Barcelona- Spain, 8/11/2017 - 10/11/2017.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2016) 'Leadership Behavior of Project Managers in Sustainable Construction Projects.' In International Conference on Project MANagement. Porto, 5/10/2016 - 7/10/2016.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A., Abu Bakar, A.H., Yusof, N., Roufechaei, K.M. (2014) 'Effects of transformational leadership behavior on the relationship between team condition and team performance.' pp. 71-75.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2012) 'Training, Motivation and Teamwork Improvement: A Model for Construction Organizations.' In 6th International Conference and Workshop on the Built Environment in Developing Countries (ICBEDC-2012). Australia,

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2012) 'Value Management in Sustainable Building Development.' In 6th International Conference and Workshop on the Built Environment in Developing Countries (ICBEDC-2012). University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia, 3/12/2012 - 5/12/2012.

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2011) 'Electrical Energy and Sustainable Housing Development.' In 5th International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries. Malaysia,

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2009) 'Efects of Construction Workers’ Training and Motivation Practices on the Performance Quality: A Pilot Study on Contractor Firms of Mashhad, Iran.' In ProMAC Symposium 2009. Bangkok, Thailand,

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2008) 'Unskilled Labour and Quality of Construction: The Case of Construction Projects of Mashhad, Iran.' In Management in Construction Researchers’ Associations MiCRA2008 conference. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2007) 'Studying the Effects of Labour Training and Motivation in Human Resource Management Practices on the Quality of Construction Projects of Mashhad, Iran.' In International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries (ICBEDC2007),. Malaysia,

  • Presentations

    Akhavan Tabassi, A. (2021) Publication During Study Timeline. [Presentation] 6/4/2021.