1,720,971 research outputs found
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium enterprises within the construction industry in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements of Master of the Built Environment (MBE) in Construction Management and quantity surveying, Durban University of Technology, South Africa, 2023.Globally, small and medium enterprises contribute to alleviating poverty, inequality, and unemployment in the society. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by these firms as the pandemic is having a devastating impact on their survival and operations. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and medium enterprises within the construction and engineering industries in KwaZuluNatal province, South Africa. The mixed-methods research was conducted to help validate the findings. The data was collected from 355 respondents, including employees, managers and SME owners. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. The qualitative data was analysed with the help of the NVivo, latest version 13. On the other hand, the quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), latest version 26.0. The quantitative results a strong positive relationship between COVID-19 and the financial performance of small and medium enterprises. On the other hand, the qualitative findings indicated that pandemic and subsequent lockdowns resulted in revenue loss, limited spare financial resources, lack of cash reserves, financial distress, limited access to bank loan/credit, negative growth sales, loss of sales, and reduction in cash flow. Moreover, the results of the quantitative study a strong positive relationship between COVID-19 and small and medium enterprises productivity. The qualitative findings also established that the pandemic negatively affected the productivity of small and medium enterprises as a result of disruption of the global supply chain, reduction in production, decrease in production inputs, decrease in capacity use, restriction in the shipment of goods, decrease in business operations and unavailability of raw materials.
An appraisal of building information modelling technology in building construction and maintenance in Africa : a case of Nigeria and South Africa
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements of Master of the Built Environment In Construction Management: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2022.Building Information Modelling technology (BIM-T) continues to gain attention. Its adoption
creates a platform that allows the built environment professionals to share project information
through a common database. At the same time, there is an increased perception that
implementing BIM on construction projects will positively influence building production
throughout its lifecycle. Recent studies have revealed a low level of BIM implementation in
the African construction industry. Currently, the utilisation of BIM for building production has
received a significant acceptance rate in developed regions, while in African countries, it is still
at an infant stage. Moreover, previous studies have established that BIM application comes
with various barriers. These barriers contribute to its low adoption, application and
implementation. Nevertheless, there are still some notable benefits and impacts on building
production, which have been the main drivers for its continual adoption. Therefore, this study
aimed to research BIM-T applications in African countries, focusing on the Nigerian and South
African construction industries. The goals are to assess its level of awareness, usage, barriers
hindering its application/implementation and benefits accruable with its adoption. BIM impacts
the building production lifecycle and determines the strategies to promote its application among
construction professionals for sustainable construction in developing countries.
To achieve the objective of this research, an extensive review of the literature was conducted
on usage, barriers to BIM adoption, application/implementation, benefits of adopting BIM, its
impacts on building production, and strategies to promote its application/implementation. A
structured questionnaire elicited constructive data from the Nigerian built environment
professionals (NIA, NIOB, NIQS, and NSE) and the South African construction-related
professionals (SACPCMP). The web-based (Google form) questionnaire was distributed
online. According to the distribution among the professionals, 276 and 105 respondents
indicated their willingness and availability to participate in the research from Nigeria and South
Africa, respectively. The generated data was analysed using the following descriptive measures: mean item score (M.I.S), relative important index (RII), ranking and frequency and
quantitative inferential analysis (factor analysis, pairwise comparison, one-way ANOVA and
Kruskal-Wallis).
It was found that there is a significant increase in the level of BIM awareness among Nigerian
and South African construction professionals compared to previous findings. 98.55% and
96.19% of respondents, respectively affirmed that they are aware of BIM. Nevertheless, these
findings established that there are still BIM-related barriers peculiar to both countries; the top
common three barriers are low computer skills among some of the professionals, habitual
resistance to change from the traditional style of design and build, and government's
unwillingness to support BIM use. These barriers could be responsible for the professional’s
low level of BIM tool usage. The study also revealed that all 13 identified BIM benefits are
significantly important in both countries. From this, it could be concluded that BIM application
has significantly improved the production of buildings through its contribution to performing
tasks from building design to post-construction stages. Finally, the respondents identified the
need for foundational knowledge in an educational institution on BIM tool use and its
applications as a critical area of focus that could assist the promotion of BIM.
This study has extensively documented the various research contributions carried out in this
study's area of focus. The preliminary survey result concludes that the findings will assist the
professional body in making intelligent decisions and adequate measures to advance the
adoption, application/implementation of BIM among their members. It will also inform the
institutions about what is required from their construction graduates to improve their
employability in the industry.
Appraisal and optimization of energy-efficient green buildings in South Africa
No full textA research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements of Master of the Built Environment, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.Generally, over 35% of global energy use and 40% of carbon emissions are attributed to the built
environment while future forecasts indicate that these values may rise much further. In South Africa
(SA), building stocks account for 40% of the country’s final energy demand which strains the
country's coal-dependent energy grid and oftentimes results in power outages. Optimizing energy
efficiency and thermal comfort while attaining the lofty goal of carbon neutrality is essential for all
concerned stakeholders in the building sector globally. Meanwhile, green building (GB), being a
recognized revolutionary theory and practice in the building industry, is suggested as a solution to
SA’s environmental challenges. On this wise, this research aimed to develop energy-efficient models
for optimizing green buildings into the design and operation of buildings to allay their environmental
impacts. The goal was to enhance energy efficiency, decrease energy consumption, and mitigate
carbon emissions across diverse climates, thus benefiting South Africa's built environment. To
achieve the study's goals, three primary research objectives were identified and pursued namely: (i)
To provide an overview on status-quo of green building development in South Africa with a view to
explore the status quo and provide roadmap for improvement; (ii)To examine the energy-saving
potential of incorporating building-integrated greenery systems towards climate-resilience in the
subtropical climate zone of South Africa; and (iii) To investigate the energy-performance of green
building renewable energy utilization systems within South Africa’s hot and arid climate zones.
Initially, the study's first objective entailed a comprehensive literature overview integrating climate,
sustainability, and building energy modeling within the South African context. This was carried out
through a scoping review approach via the PRISMA guideline of reporting Subsequent objectives
involved selecting reference buildings and creating hypothesized models as case studies based on six
climate zones from the South African National Standard. For the second objective, a thorough and
integrative approach that linked building energy modelling and varying climatic change was devised.
The numerical parametric simulation and analysis, being a quantitative research approach was
adopted as a data collection method. Similarly, the third objective employed numerical parametric
simulation as a data gathering method in this research, which is based on a quantitative analysis to
explore various design options iteratively. In the second and third objectives, Global climate
databases, Meteonorm, Climate Consultant, and energy simulation software such as DesignBuilder,
EnergyPlus, and Polysun were used for weather data analysis, climate modeling, and building energy
simulation. The findings highlighted that while South Africa boasts notable green construction
projects, scientific research progress has not matched international levels. The focus was on
promoting green building adoption through standards, certifications, and incentives. However, gaps were observed in optimized energy performance and post-occupancy evaluation of existing buildings.
Despite high awareness, the utilization of green building technologies among South African
professionals did not meet anticipated levels. For the second objective, the study's findings indicated
an increase in extreme heat waves with higher peak temperatures in the future. Building energy use
in the study area is projected to rise by 8-24% from 2030 to 2080. Notably, heat gains primarily result
from envelope thermal transfer rather than solar radiation. Greenery systems were found to effectively
support green building goals and urban sustainability across anticipated seasons. Nature-based
solutions proved successful in adapting to climate change compared to non-retrofitted conventional
buildings. For the last objective, the study revealed regions with substantial solar irradiance, indicating
potential for renewable energy adoption. It emphasized the need for durable BIPV systems in hightemperature conditions. BIPV modules generated more energy in Upington than Nelspruit due to
varying solar radiation. Opportunities were identified for BIPV systems to achieve optimal power
generation. The study provides a foundation for informed decision-making, policy formulation, and
targeted research in sustainable building practices. The study presents practical principles to guide
urban planners and policymakers in integrating eco-friendly technology into both new and existing
building designs. This promotes sustainable urban development and reduces cities' carbon emissions.
Going forward, to showcase the effectiveness of these energy-efficient and climate-responsive
systems to the public and industry stakeholders, it is recommended to establish and enhance largescale demonstration projects in South Africa's subtropical, hot and arid regions.
Integrated model for enhancing value management performance in the construction industry
No full textSubmitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements of Doctor of Philosophy in Construction Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2024.The introduction and integration of Value Management (VM), originally stemming from the manufacturing sector, has been actively promoted within the construction industry to enhance project delivery performance and its economic impact. Regrettably, the application of VM in construction faces several formidable challenges. These challenges can be attributed to various factors, including the transplantation of a management concept from manufacturing without adequate consideration of the specific variables and conditions conducive to VM's effective application in the construction sector. This research diligently investigated and formulated the variables essential for achieving optimal VM performance, thereby ensuring the appropriate application of VM principles in the construction industry. The study employed a comprehensive research methodology, encompassing the sequential exploratory mixed-method research involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative aspect involved a Delphi study supported by relevant literature, engaging fourteen experts in a three-stage process. The insights obtained through the Delphi process aided in identifying the key dimensions (both primary and secondary) that contribute to the effectiveness of VM in the Nigerian construction industry. The findings derived from the Delphi study and the review of existing literature culminated in the development of a five-component model for enhancing VM performance in the Nigerian construction sector. These components comprise integration, collaboration, standardization, utilization of digital technologies, and the fostering of a conducive corporate culture. Subsequently, a quantitative survey employing questionnaires was conducted among professionals in the built environment. Over a three-month period, 202 completed questionnaires were collected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Initially, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 to present the demographic information of the respondents. Furthermore, the study embraced structural equation modeling (SEM) utilizing the partial least squares (PLS) approach, leveraging the SmartPLS version 4 software. This analytical framework aimed to identify the constructs that most significantly influence effective VM performance and subsequently construct a model for improving VM performance in the Nigerian built environment. The methodological process, coupled with extensive analysis, pinpointed the constructs with direct influence and robust relationships with the outcome variables. This analysis encompassed assessments of indicator reliability, internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity, collinearity, explanatory power of the model, predictive relevance of the model, goodness of fit indices, path significance, and several other quality checks, culminating in the formulation of the final VM performance model (referred to as Model 2.0). The questionnaire findings substantiated that these constructs collectively serve as predictors of VM performance in the Nigerian construction industry. Additionally, the study unearthed that the performance indicators for VM in construction are associated with the benefits of adopting VM, which include cost savings, efficient time management, improved project management, and the elimination of delays. This study offers contributions to existing knowledge on three fronts: theoretical, methodological, and practical. Theoretical contributions encompass the recognition that existing constructs for modeling VM performance in construction are incomplete without the inclusion of corporate culture and digital technologies. Furthermore, the study highlights the most critical construct for predicting VM performance in the Nigerian construction industry. Methodologically, the study contributes by employing a mixed research approach, providing a comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. The Delphi study enabled input from construction industry professionals to identify previously unaddressed indicators, while SEM effectively considers the indicators used in measuring the constructs and provides guidelines for adding or eliminating indicators. This methodological approach has facilitated the creation of a comprehensive VM model tailored to the Nigerian construction industry. On the practical front, the study aids construction stakeholders in improved project planning by identifying key variables that ensure VM performance. In conclusion, this study recommends that similar research should be conducted in other developing countries. It also underscores the importance of corporate culture in promoting integration and collaboration within the Nigerian construction sector. Furthermore, the utilization of digital technologies is encouraged to facilitate stakeholder collaboration. Finally, stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry are advised to align their VM practices with the five-factor model, with particular emphasis on integration, collaboration, and fostering effective corporate culture as pivotal components.
An examination of the key drivers of amendments to the standard forms of contract in the South African construction industry
No full textSome of the perceived benefits of standard forms of contract are standardisation,
uniformity, stability and the availability of well-established terms and conditions which allow
predictability and greater certainty in legal relations. Thus, the standard forms are widely
adopted in the construction industry to facilitate the contractual arrangements between
contracting parties in a construction project. Having become commonplace in construction
transactions, they are often generally accepted by the various contracting parties and their
advisers. Notwithstanding its importance, literature suggests that it is practically unfeasible to
devise a standard form of contract that would cater for all eventualities and construction
issues that might occur in construction projects. As a result, the existing standard forms are
sometimes amended or modified in order to fit the clients\u27 requirements and also to suit
the contractors\u27 expectations. This paper therefore investigates the key factors that drive
amendments to the standard forms of contract in the South African construction industry.
Considering the fact that this paper presents findings that relied on a descriptive survey
method, the mean item score was used for presenting the results. The data was obtained
through an online questionnaire survey sent to the construction professionals who are usually
involved in the selection of contract forms for the client in the Gauteng Province of South
Africa (SA). The data was analysed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS)
and the results indicate that "altering risk allocation", "inserting additional obligation" and
"correcting something which is not applicable" are the three prominent factors that highly
drive the amendment of standard forms of contract in the Gauteng Province of South Africa
An appraisal of procurement challenges facing emerging contractors in public sector projects in South Africa
No full textA research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements of Master of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.Poor participation and performance of emerging contractors in public sector construction projects is currently an issue of major concern in South Africa (SA), as economic development relies mainly on the sustainability of small businesses. While the South African government has endeavoured to make provisions for the advancement of the emerging contractors through the regulatory framework and Section 217(i) of the constitution, earlier studies have revealed that the emerging contractors continue to face several procurement challenges. These procurement challenges have adversely impacted the growth and development of small contractors. Unfortunately, the available provisions in the constitution and the regulatory framework have not been able to adequately solve the problem. This has led to a high rate of small business failures in South Africa. These procurement challenges include late payments, poor contract management, poor cash flow management, the complexity of regulations, too much competition, political interference, and a lack of skills in pricing techniques, to mention a few. This study aimed to appraise the procurement challenges facing emerging contractors in public sector projects in South Africa with a view to developing strategies to mitigate the challenges experienced. The study focused on CIDB-registered construction companies in Gauteng province under CIDB levels 4 and 5 registered as general building and civil engineering classified contractors. The study adhered to a quantitative explanatory approach. A survey questionnaire comprising structured questions relating to the study’s objectives was drawn up and distributed to the participants. The data is presented using the tables while the analysis of the data was achieved through using the appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to measure characteristics of the study population and to make inferences about the population from data set respectively. The study found that late payments, political interference, poorly managed cash flows, too much competition, and a lack of understanding of pricing techniques were the top five critical challenges facing the emerging contractors in the South African construction industry. Further investigation on the impacts of the identified challenges facing the emerging contractors in South Africa revealed that project cost and time overruns, lack of access to public sector contractors, loss of profits, blacklisting by creditors, liquidation, and abandoned projects negatively impact the success of the emerging contractors in South Africa. The study further identified potential measures to overcome the identified procurement challenges. These measures include: reviewing procurement policies for contractor development with emphasis on business and management skills development programmes; access to finance be made easily accessible; contractors be trained to separate business operations from family operations, including proper cash flow management; skills development training specifically for small contractors; joint venture partnerships for emerging contractors to curb financial and administrative burdens and skills transfer; implementing early payment arrangements with the organs of state and ensuring timely payments from clients; breaking down bids into smaller projects; the provision of more and detailed information for bids during the tender stage; the relaxation of unnecessary bureaucratic procedures; the provision of tax holidays; and after care and follow-up training to be provided to ensure that the small contractors remain in business. Based on these findings, impacts, and mitigation measures, the study recommends revising government policies regarding the payment of emerging contractors to address the challenge of late payments, thus prioritising timely payments for all emerging contractors and, where possible, establishing early payment arrangements; the training of emerging contractors and skills development be prioritised; and entry-level training for CIDB Level/Grade 1 contractors be implemented to upskill those emerging contractors.
Sustainable construction through the implementation of post-occupancy evaluation practices : a case study of RDP buildings in Mpumalanga
Get PDFSubmitted in complete fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Engineering: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023.Abstract Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) buildings in South Africa were promulgated to alleviate poverty and provide better social services for previously disadvantaged South Africans by allocating tax money for development projects. However, there is a growing concern about the quality of housing developed under the RDP programmes. Post-occupancy evaluation is one of the measures that has been proposed to ensure the quality of these buildings is well understood and improved upon. The study sought to investigate the current status of post-occupancy evaluation (POE), understand the barriers to effective implementation of POE, and investigate the critical success factors and the benefits of POE in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. To achieve this objective, the study adopted a quantitative approach utilising a questionnaire survey to expedite the collection of data, which was then analysed descriptively and inferentially. The study population was purposively selected due to the specific nature of the data collected. Professionals employed by the Department of Human Settlement in Mpumalanga and involved in the construction of the RDP building in Mpumalanga province provided the data. The findings indicate that the critical success factors for effective implementation of post-occupancy evaluation are: participation and commitment; leadership; education and skills; benchmarks and indicators; top management support; availability of resources; POE information management; and effective feedback. With respect to barriers that affect the effective implementation of the POE, the study identified the following: lack of adequate resources; lack of knowledge of POE procedures; lack of awareness of POE; lack of top management support; lack of coordination by departments; lack of owner’s knowledge of POE and benefits; and POE is not integrated into the scope of work of the facility department. The study posited that POE could provide the basis for necessary changes, help increase design know-how, determine building defects, increase building performance, reduce maintenance costs, and increase occupants’ satisfaction.
Requirements for the effective statutory adjudication practice in the South African construction industry
Get PDFThesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016.The concept of adjudication was introduced into the South African construction industry as a result of payment default, which is one of the crippling constraints to effective project delivery, as well as a major cause of dispute within the South African construction industry. The general poor payment practices and unpredictability of payments in the industry have not only given rise to substantial additional financing and transactional cost, but have also generated an extremely negative contracting environment. To mitigate this problem, Prompt Payment Regulations and Adjudication Standards were proposed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The proposed Prompt Payment Regulations and Adjudication Standards identify statutory adjudication as a promising solution to the payment problem. The regulations have been gazetted for public comment and might soon receive final approval for their introduction and usage.
However, for statutory adjudication to be effective in any jurisdiction, it is important to identify and provide the supporting structures that have to be in place. This research specifically determines the institutional requirements for effective implementation of statutory adjudication in the South African construction industry. To achieve this aim, the research identifies the specific institutional roles in the effective implementation of statutory adjudication, examines the key features of the proposed CIDB Prompt Payment Regulations and Adjudication Standards in comparison with similar standards in other jurisdictions, identifies teething problems and critical challenges to effective implementation of statutory adjudication and suggests ways of combating the challenges, determines institutional requirements needed for effective statutory adjudication implementation and develops an implementation framework that will enhance the effectiveness of statutory adjudication practice in South Africa.
The set objectives were achieved using a qualitative research approach informed by the interpretivist philosophical paradigm. Data were collected through documents and semi-structured interviews from leading professionals that are directly involved in statutory adjudication implementation in selected jurisdictions where statutory adjudication is practiced. The study employed the thematic analytic approach to identify, analyse and report patterns within data received.
The main findings from the analysis show that institutions play strategic roles in promoting the effective implementation of the legislation supporting statutory adjudication. Also, the features within the proposed CIDB payment and adjudication regulations are encompassing enough to provide the necessary legal framework needed for effective statutory adjudication performance in South Africa, if adequately implemented. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the effectiveness of statutory adjudication and the realization of the benefits it has to offer are hinge on a number of factors. These factors are: (i) the features of the legislation itself (i.e., policy objectives and the application of the legislation), (ii) the process of implementation, (iii) institutional support and (iv) the presence of success factors (i.e., the drivers and enablers of successful implementation). The findings led to the development of an effective framework for successful implementation of adjudication in South Africa. The framework can help give informed choices and directions on practices and processes of effective statutory adjudication. Thus, the findings in this research would benefit the South African construction industry and serve as guide to other jurisdictions contemplating introducing statutory adjudication.tm2016Town and Regional PlanningPhDUnrestricte
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
- …
