Business from technology

Dr. Abdul Samad (Sami) Kazi

Current position at VTT
Research Coordinator, Chief Research Scientist

Research background and current research topics

Sami’s main areas of interest and expertise include construction and project management, construction IT, virtual organisations, knowledge management, groupware solutions, and inter-enterprise collaboration. He has conducted research in several areas including: project planning and control, computer based training, construction management, knowledge management, system dynamics, construction IT, product and process modelling, cost planning and control, Internet based technologies, groupware tools and technologies, social media, information modelling, concurrent engineering, virtual enterprises, living labs, organisational learning and assessment. Sami has industrial experience and maintains close links with the construction industry throughout his research.

Sami has been involved in several EU projects on construction IT, virtual organisations, and knowledge management, including GLOBEMEN, CONCUR, Procure, eLEGAL, OSMOS, prodAEC, eCOGNOS, ICCI, VOSTER, ROADCON, NESKEY, eProCon, KnowledgeBoard, VE-Forum, MOSAIC, SWOP, ManuBuild, Buildnova, network4value, CoVES, Strat-CON, Plug&Play Alliance, I3CON, REG CON, InTube, REEB. etc. He has furthermore served the European Commission in various capacities, as an evaluator for Knowledge Management and eGovernment proposals in the IST (Information Society Technologies) programme, reviewer of IST projects on knowledge management, construction, mobile devices, and expert evaluator for portfolio of knowledge management projects (more than 20) in the IST programme.

Sami has been the lead editor of more than ten books in the areas of ICT for construction projects and processes, knowledge management, systemic innovation in construction projects, open building manufacturing, etc. and authored more than 90 scientific peer-reviewed papers.

Current major research projects at VTT

• BIM-based Business research programme development. The programme targets construction industry transformation through breakthroughs in integration technologies to support model-based work processes for next generation value-driven business models to enable all stakeholders (people and value networks) to make real-time informed decisions leading to zero error design, zero accident construction, substantial cost and time savings, and satisfied clients. (http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/b3/program.htm)
  
• REEB (The European Strategic Research Roadmap to ICT enabled Energy-Efficiency in Building and Construction). Development of a vision, strategic roadmap, and implementation actions for ICT enabled energy efficiency in buildings (http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/b3/)
  
• Coordination of research strategies and project portfolios in the area of processes and IT in the Built Environment
  

Education

• Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng), Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management), 2004, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
  
• Master of Engineering (M.Eng), Structural Engineering and Construction, 1996, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
  
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Civil Engineering, 1993, Middle East Technical University, Turkey
  

Work history

• Research Coordinator (2008 - ) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  
• Chief Research Scientist (2006 - ) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  
• Senior Research Scientist (2002 - 2006) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  
• Research Scientist (2000 - 2002) VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
  
• Researcher (1994-2000) AIT - Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
  
• Construction and Project Manager (1993 - 1994) Isra University Campus, Pakistan
  
• Section Chief & Construction Manager (1993) Sezai Turkes Feyzi Akkaya, Pakistan
  
• Trainee Civil Engineer (1992) Various construction organisations, Turkey
  

Positions of trust and professional assignments

• Adjunct Professor (2008 - ) Hanken School of Economics, Finland
  
• Fellow, Collaborative Processes (2004 - ) Entovation International, USA
  
• Co-chair (2009 - ) Academic Council, FIATECH, USA
  
• Roadmap Champion (2008 - ) FIATECH, USA
  
• Editorial Board Member: International Journal of Managing Projects in Business; Journal of Information Technology in Construction; Journal of Cases in Information Technology, International Journal of Architectural Engineering and Design Management; International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development; International Journal of Construction Project Management
  
• Reviewer for papers in more than 20 international scientific peer reviewed journals
  

Selected publications

• Kazi, A.S., Eichert, J. and Boudjabeur, S. (2009) ManuBuild: Open Building Manufacturing - System Handbook, ManuBuild, ISBN: 978-951-38-7145-1 (Print); ISBN: 978-951-38-7147-5 (Electronic), 134 pages.
  
• Kazi, A.S., Hannus, M., Zarli, A. and Martens, B. (2007) Strategic Roadmaps and Implementation Actions for ICT in Construction, Strat-CON Consortium, 152 pages.
  
• Kazi, A.S., Wohlfart, L. and Wolf, P. (2007) Hands-On Knowledge Co-Creation and Sharing: Practical Methods and Techniques, KnowledgeBoard, ISBN: 978-951-6350-0 (Print); ISBN: 978-951-6351-7 (Electronic), 580 pages.
  
• Kazi, A.S. and Wolf, P. (2006) Real-Life Knowledge Management: Lessons from the Field, KnowledgeBoard, ISBN: 952-5004-72-4, 352 pages.
  
• Kazi, A.S., Hannus, M., Boudjabeur, S. and Malone, A. (2007) Open Building Manufacturing: Core Concepts and Industrial Requirements, ManuBuild, ISBN: 978-951-38-6352-4 (Print); ISBN: 978-951-38-6353-1 (Electronic), 336 pages.
  

Sami Kazi's publications in VTT Publications Register

Awards

• Listed in Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering (7th Ed. onwards)
  
• Listed in Marquis Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders (1st Edition)
  
• European Commission Grant for Post Graduate Technological Studies Exchange: 1999
  
• Maeda Conference Presentation Award: 1998
  
• AITAA Conference Participation Award: 1997
  
• Government of Japan Scholarship for Post Graduate Research: 1996
  
• Mahesh Varma Prize for Most Outstanding Academic Performance Amongst Masters Students in Construction Engineering and Management: 1996
  
• Vice President for Academic Affairs’ Plaque of Merit for Outstanding Academic Performance in Construction Engineering and Management: 1996
  
• Special President’s Plaque of Honour for Outstanding Academic Performance While President of Student Union: 1996