UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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A novel collection cup for tuberculosis sputum in South Africa: engineering design and user testing considerations
Get PDFLow-cost, targeted engineering interventions can revolutionize health care, particularly in low-income environments. We outline a process for user testing of novel sputum collection cup models for PCR-based based tuberculosis assays in Cape Town, South Africa. Providing a sputum sample is difficult for many patients, and the quality of the sample affects downstream test performance. Observational data was collected from six representative sites including outpatient clinics, hospitals, and processing laboratories, and interviews were performed with individuals involved with sputum collection (n=10), processing (n=10), and transportation (n=3). Participants compared “rocket” and “squeeze” prototypes to the current cup by answering standardized questions and ranking the usability and perceived safety of the models. Sputum collectors found the current model significantly easier to use (p-value: 0.0091) and safer (p-value: 0.0044) than the “squeeze” model. Sputum processors found the “squeeze” model more difficult to use than both the current jar (p-value: 0.0091) and the “rocket” model (p-value: 0.0012). They additionally perceived the “squeeze” model to be less safe than the “rocket” prototype (p-value: 0.0007). These results were incorporated into a remodelled sputum collection cup that contains a stable, upright base, maximum and minimum markers, and a tight seal to meet the needs of primary users
Pareto Analysis of Critical Risk Factors of Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) Projects in Nigeria
Get PDFThe need to meet the massive infrastructural gaps has led to the adoption of alternative procurement methods. Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) is one of the new ways used for procuring infrastructure. In developing countries, BOT projects are characterised by high-risk profile discouraging private investment. Therefore, it is imperative to identify the critical risk factors inherent in such arrangements with the view to attracting the desired level of private investment. This study employed Pareto Analysis to identify vital risk factors of BOT projects in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were used to establish critical risk factors based on the perception of key stakeholders (government, concessionaire, lenders, and developers) in Abuja. Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Lagos. Descriptive statistics were used to obtain Standard Deviation of the risk factors indicating their impacts and severity. Based on the results, Pareto Analysis was carried out to separate the
/'vital few' from the 'trivial many'. The results indicated nine risk factors as the vital few responsible for 80% contribution. The risk factors include; changes in government policies, hostile general business environment, project company default, time performance risk, cost performance risk, excessive development cost, instability in government, failure to raise finance for the project and lack of experience in handling the project. Therefore, for effective implementation of BOT projects, it is necessary for stakeholders to focus on the
/'vital few' risk factors responsible for 80% of the risk impacts. The results of the study may not be generalised for use by clients and contractors operating in environments with different political and economic climate with Nigeria as the impact and likelihood of occurrence of risks may vary.
Keywords: Build-operate-transfer, Nigeria, Pareto analysis, Risk factors
A Career Path Framework for Quantity Surveyors in Nigeria Private Practice
Get PDFIn a typical organization, career path helps employees to understand what is expected of them based on the positions they occupied. This also allows them to participate in managing their career progress. Many quantity surveying firms do not have career development path for their quantity surveyor (QS) employees and this has limited their performance at work. This paper, therefore, develops a career path framework for quantity surveyors in private practice in Nigeria. A combination of survey and interviews were employed to elicit the required data. The study population are in two categories. Firstly, the quantity surveying firms, while the respondents in the firms are the principal partners and their employees. The second category is the chairmen of the state chapters of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. The findings of the study establish the career path progression for a quantity surveyor in private practice which ranges from trainee quantity surveyor, assistant quantity surveyor, quantity surveyor, senior quantity surveyor, principal quantity surveyor, chief quantity surveyor, partner and principal partner/consultant in that order. The proposed conceptual framework signifies and demonstrates the necessary benchmark to resolving common problems about career progression and development among quantity surveyor in private practice. This is seen as having a positive effect on harmonious working relationship and quality service delivery.Keywords: Career development, Career path, Framework, Nigeria, Private Practice, Quantity Surveyors
Factors Influencing the Deployment of ICT in Nigerian Real Estate Practice
Get PDFReal estate is an intensive business that largely depends on information. Information technology has become a major form of communication in the real estate industry, a tool for marketing and information dispersion. As a result, diverse factors influence the use of information and communication technology (ICT). This study is aimed at investigating the factors influencing the use of ICTs in Nigerian real estate practices. Lagos state, the area of study, was delineated according to a central business district locational pattern to ascertain where the firms of real estate were grouped. Out of the 172 questionnaires that were conveniently administered to real estate firms within the study location, only 143 (83.14%) were retrieved and considered valid for the analysis. The collected data was then analysed using a factor analytical test. Findings revealed that technological infrastructure, service delivery efficiency enhancement, and productivity branding influenced the deployment of ICTs in Lagos’ real estate industry. It was recommended that practitioners and real estate firms need to adopt emerging concepts and technological advancement in their quest for survival both locally and internationally. This will enhance their competitiveness and ensure that better value is provided
Hedonic Valuation of Real Estate Properties in Nigeria: Hedonic Valuation of Properties in Nigeria
No full textDespite the wide adoption of the Hedonic Pricing Model (HPM) approach in property valuation in the real estate domain, a large number of studies conducted by real estate scholars, have tended to focus on the ‘explanatory’ rather than the ‘predictive’ ability of the technique. Given this industry focus, and thus the lack of information on the predictive nature of HPM, the present study sets out to investigate the predictive accuracy of HPM in property valuation. Data on sales transaction of residential properties were collected from registered property firms practising in the Lagos metropolis property market, in Nigeria. The collected data were divided into two categories - the training set which was fitted to the HPM developed, and the testing dataset which was used for the model validation. Accuracy metrics were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the HPM developed. The analysis shows that the HPM approach produced inaccurate predicted property values in terms of a high mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE) and root means square error (RMSE) which may not be acceptable by rational real estate investors. Also, about 60% of the predicted property values produced an inaccuracy that is ± 20% of the actual values, while only 26% yielded an error of margin which is within the industry acceptable margin of between ± 0 and 10%. The HPM could not be entirely relied on to produce accurate property valuation estimates. Therefore, further studies are needed to be carried out to identify more reliable and robust property valuation approaches that can produce values that would be acceptable to all property valuation stakeholders
Assessing a Ghanaian University’s Real Estate Teaching and Learning
Get PDFJust as curriculums and teaching styles vary, the experiences of students are varied and complex. This study aims to understand how students rate the undergraduate programmes at the Department of Land Economy (DoLE) within the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, Ghana. It studies the quality of education received alongside the expectations of students. To assess these variables, this study adopts and modifies the Student Engagement Questionnaire (SEQ) developed by Kember and Leung (2009). As part of this methodology, 312 students in their third and final year of DoLE’s BSc in Land Economy and BSc in Real Estate participated in this assessment. Their responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale which consisted of 18 different scales. The scales were checked for reliability using Cronbach alpha values. Using this methodology, the study was able to conclude that more than 50% of respondents agreed that the quality of the programme met their expectations. Furthermore, students generally realised an improvement of their critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities. In contrast to this, students also emphasised a lack of feedback and an overwhelmed system of educational resources. It is worth noting that the SEQ, as a diagnostic tool, should be treated as being indicative, rather than absolute. Therefore, this study looks at the state of education from a Ghanaian student perspective. It highlights where there is room for improvement and ways in which future research can look at this issue from a broader industry standpoint. Education and learning must continuously evolve to meet the needs of students and be reflective of the times
Management of Uncertainty in Real Estate Development Appraisals: A Literature Review
Get PDFThis paper provides an in-depth examination of various concepts related to the forms and sources of uncertainty, as well as the management of uncertainty in real estate development (RED). The study also examines factors influencing the adoption of Real Option Analysis (ROA) in RED given the need to improve the knowledge of stakeholders in RED appraisal, and to ensure best practices. Based on desktop analysis of past authors’ perspectives, orientations and submissions regarding the management of uncertainty in RED appraisal, the findings reveal that while there are varying forms and sources of uncertainty in RED appraisals, there are also diverse methods used to manage the uncertainty of it. It is, however, noted that the methods employed are dependent on RED appraisers and other institutional factors. The consensus from previous studies favours ROA in managing uncertainty in RED. This paper adds to the debate for the need to embrace ROA in managing the effects of uncertainty in RED appraisal
Natural Environmental Amenities and House Rentals: A Hedonic Analysis for Integrated Planning
Get PDFEnvironmental valuation techniques have been used in quantifying the influences of environmental amenities on house prices. The hedonic approach is used to evaluate contributions of environmental amenities to rents in this study. Though the theme of this study has attracted pedagogical attention, the comparison between man-made and natural environmental amenities in housing values is a nouvelle approach in identifying and explaining effective demand and value systems of urban and natural amenities through market evidence. It extends existing body of literature on hedonic studies in Nigeria by contextually assessing these two broad categories of environmental amenities on the same scale. Results reveal the variations in demand and significance of physical infrastructure and natural amenities in rents. This /study's significance lies in bringing to light, the realities of market demand for natural amenities in comparison with physical infrastructure
 
Compensation Theories and Expropriation of Customary Property Rights: A Critical Review
Get PDFMarket value is the most common compensation basis for expropriation of both private and customary property rights. Private property rights are generally exchangeable while customary property rights are conceptually not as exchangeable. It is hence critical to analyse the applicability of current compensation theories, which are founded on private property rights, to different property rights and in different social settings. By using existing literature and empirical evidence from Africa and other countries where customary property rights dominate, this paper undertakes a theoretical analysis of the applicability of existing compensation theories and the methodologies used to achieve the desired compensation goals. The analysis concludes that whilst current compensation theories are broadly applicable to customary property rights as they aim to protect property rights and prevent expropriatees from impoverishment, various ontological and methodological factors limit the realisation of these goals in settings dominated by customary properties. Such factors include ontology and dominance of customary property rights, use of market value as a compensation basis, and capacity of compensation assessors. Broadly, these factors lead to inadequate compensation and impoverishment of affected people