Counterfeit Materials in the Norwegian AEC-Industry

Atle Engebø1, Jardar Lohne2, Pål Egil Rønn3 & Ola Lædre4

1M.Sc. student, Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, +47 905 71 902, [email protected]
2Research scientist, dr. art., Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, +47 934 44 930, [email protected]
3Research scientist, dr. art., Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, +47 934 44 930, [email protected]
4Research scientist, dr. art., Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, +47 934 44 930, [email protected]

Abstract

The literature states that counterfeit materials can have major implications in particular concerning competition between suppliers, between contractors as well as general challenges regarding cost, time, quality and safety. Counterfeited materials are defined as unauthorized materials which special characteristics are protected as intellectual property rights, patents and copyrights. This paper seeks to answer the following questions: 1. What does counterfeit materials mean in the context of the Norwegian AEC-Industry? 2. Does counterfeit materials exist in the Norwegian AEC-Industry? 3. What are the potential consequences of counterfeit materials? 4. Which methods are suitable to detect and mitigate counterfeited materials? This is a qualitative research study. The methodology consists of a review of literature and the research is carried out using explorative interviews with the purpose to gather experiences and examples of specific cases. This approach is chosen to encourage discussion with interviewees and thereby collect information that would otherwise go under the radar by more structured forms of interviews and surveys. Counterfeiting is a well-known problem, but there are limited literature addressing this phenomenon in the construction industry. This is a pilot study and the limitations include a limited number of interviewees. The nature of the counterfeit phenomenon limits the study in regards of accessibility, amount of previous research and literature addressing this phenomenon. By illuminating the scope of the problem possible consequences and evaluating the current strategies for dealing with the problem, this study could lead to an increased awareness within the industry. The study works as a basis for further research within the field.

Keywords

Counterfeit materials; Supply Chain Management; Safety and Quality; Anti-Counterfeiting Strategy

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Reference

Engebø, A. , Lohne, J. , Rønn, P. E. & Lædre, O. 2016. Counterfeit Materials in the Norwegian AEC-Industry, 24th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/

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