1,720,958 research outputs found
Building contracts, a means to manage the construction process: a South African perspective
No full textDissertation (M.Sc. (Quantity Surveying and Construction Management))--University of the Free State, 2017The construction contract, in particular the building contract, is reviewed in this study. Some view risk management and protection of the parties’ interests as being the main objectives of this contract. This research investigates the structure of the building contracts used most often in South Africa, while comparing them with the main project and construction management areas. Four contract suites are recommended by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to be used in public projects in South Africa, namely the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC), the New Engineering Contract (NEC), the General Conditions of Contracts for Construction Works (GCC) and the Fédération Intranationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC). The research focused on the contracts suitable for building work. The structure of these contracts revealed that they are similar to the structure proposed by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). The contract is formed between two parties, the employer or client, and the contractor. This agreement takes place early on in the implementation phase of the project life cycle (PLC) and is the result of a procurement process. The four contracts reviewed vary in the way they address the project management knowledge areas and the study revealed that knowledge and experience are vital to compile a sound procurement document. The goal of the building contract should be to protect the parties who enter into the agreement. The study recommends that the contract should be seen as the project implementation plan (PIP) and that the implementation phase is only a section within the greater PLC. Parties should be familiar with it and know their responsibilities. The employer’s agent should take responsibility as the project manager on the project and guide the parties through the processes stipulated in the PIP. The PIP or the contract can, however, only be effectively implemented if the required time, budget, and experience is devoted to its implementation and maintenance.
___________________________________________________________________Die konstruksiekontrak, spesifiek van geboue, word in die studie ondersoek. Die bestuur en die beskerming van die partye se belange word as die belangrikste funksies van ’n boukontrak beskou. Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die strukture van die mees algemene boukontrakte in Suid-Afrika. Die kontrakte word met die projek- en konstruksiebestuursareas vergelyk. Vier stelle of groepe kontrakte word deur die Konstruksie-industrie Ontwikkelingsraad of te wel die “Construction Industry Development Board” (CIDB) voorgestel: die Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC), die New Engineering Contract (NEC), die General Conditions of Contract for Construction Works (GCC) en die Fédération Intranationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils (FIDIC). Die studie fokus spesifiek op elkeen van hierdie boukontrakte. By nadere ondersoek is gevind dat die kontrakte se strukture ooreenstem met dié van die “Project Management Body of Knowledge” (PMBOK). Die toepaslike kontrak word tussen twee partye gesluit, naamlik die werkgewer of die kliënt, en die kontrakteur. Die ooreenkoms vind aan die begin van die implementeringsfase van die projeklewensiklus plaas en is die gevolg van ’n spesifieke aankoopproses. Die vier kontrakte verskil wel in die manier waarop projekbestuur se kennisafdelings aangespreek word. Die studie het getoon dat ondervinding en kennis nodig is om die aankoopdokument saam te stel. Die doel van die kontrak is om beide partye te beskerm. Die studie stel voor dat die kontrak as die projekimplementeringsplan beskou moet word en dat die implementeringsfase slegs ’n deel is van die groter projeklewensiklus. Partye moet die plan ken en weet wat hulle verantwoordelikhede is. Die kliënt se agent moet verantwoordelikheid as die projekbestuurder aanvaar en moet die partye ten opsigte van die projekimplementeringsplan lei. Die projekimplementeringsplan oftewel die kontrak, kan slegs suksesvol geïmplementeer word indien die nodige tyd, geld, en ondervinding aangewend word om die plan te implementeer en te monitor.
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Facilitation of construction project management through building contracts: A South African perspective on the locally developed suites of contracts
Full text linkThis article reviews the depth to which the South African suites of contracts may facilitate the effective implementation of construction project management practices. The hypothesis states that the standard South African forms of contract for building work have evolved to promote control through construction project management processes. The South African suites of contracts are reviewed against the project management office’s (PMO) main focus areas for best practices. This endeavours to establish the conduciveness to facilitate good project management functions on building projects. The main clauses of each contract are compared to the construction project management knowledge areas. Two contracts are reviewed, and it is established that both contracts (General Conditions of Contract for Construction Work 2015 and the Joint Building Contracts Committee’s (JBCC) Principal Building Agreement Edition 6.2) provide the employer’s agent (EA) the necessary authority to manage the project for its intended purpose. It became apparent that the contracts may allow certain project management functions to be implemented by placing different emphases on different aspects of the contract. Due to the complexity and uniqueness of each project, the number of standard contract conditions governing a contract are limited. A strong project management function must take place during the planning phases. The contract used influences the way in which the project management functions are applied during the project life cycle (PLC). Thus, the project manager must have an intimate knowledge of the content of the contract in order to implement the desired construction project management functions, as required during each of the PLC stages. 
Evaluating construction 4.0 attributes in South African Higher Education Curriculum: an activity theory perspective
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Higher Education Studies))--University of the Free State, 2025The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has brought about profound changes in the field of Construction and the Built Environment (CBE), requiring attributes that are aligned with Construction 4.0 (C4.0) technologies. This doctoral study investigates the evolution and integration of C4.0 attributes at South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with a focus on Quantity Surveying (QS) and Construction Management (CM) curricula. The research applies Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to explore how students, lecturers and Industry professionals perceive, understand and react to C4.0 developments.
The study employs an explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data from semi-structured surveys, with qualitative data from focus-group discussions and interviews. The Quantitative analysis utilised a combination of descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha for internal reliability, and inferential methods such as one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation to explore relationships between variables. Qualitative data were thematically coded and analysed through content analysis
to identify patterns, perspectives, and emergent themes across stakeholder groups. Quantitative analyses assess the awareness and preparedness of students and lecturers regarding C4.0 attributes, while qualitative analyses explore deeper insights into the integration of the understanding, relevance and approach needed to develop C4.0 attributes and their influence on Construction 5.0 (C5.0) developments. C5.0 is the humancentric framing of future industry practices, emphasising ethical, collaborative, and socially responsive engagement with digital technologies.
While findings reveal that South African HEIs are progressively aligning curricula with emerging industries, there is still a gap between academic programmes and the practical application of C4.0 technologies in the workforce. Students and lecturers recognise the importance of digital literacy, problem-solving and adaptability. Still, there is a need for HEIs to enhance technical and soft skills further to improve the preparedness of graduates for the evolving construction industry. This research contributes to the existing body of
knowledge by offering two frameworks for integrating C4.0 graduate attributes into HEI curricula with a special focus on expansive learning (EL). Additionally, it emphasises the importance of industry collaboration in shaping higher education that responds to the dynamic demands of the CBE. The study’s findings can assist educators in aligning higher education programmes (i.e. QS & CM) to foster the required C4.0 attributes for the CBE.
This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by offering a proposed preliminary framework for integrating C4.0 graduate attributes into HEI curricula, emphasising the importance of industry collaboration in shaping education that responds to the dynamic demands of the CBE
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe 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
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Bridging academia and industry: A framework for enhancing graduate attributes in South Africa’s Construction 4.0 landscape
Full text linkThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is transforming industries globally, including the construction sector, through Construction 4.0 (C4.0). The study investigates the critical role of graduate attributes (GAs) within the South African Construction Built Environment (CBE) to develop a framework that enhances collaboration between industry and academia, equipping graduates with the skills and adaptability needed for C4.0. Adopting an explanatory sequential, mixed-methods approach, the data were collected from 288 registered Quantity Surveyors (QSs), Construction Managers (CMs) and Construction Project Managers (CPMs), supplemented by qualitative insights from ten in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that GAs such as adaptability, critical thinking, and problem-solving are essential for navigating the technological and collaborative demands of C4.0. Despite the significant focus on knowledge and skills in current curricula, the study emphasises the critical importance of attributes in supporting lifelong learning, resilience, and innovation. Using the CHAT as an analytical lens, this research offers a framework to realign higher education curricula with industry needs, emphasising the interrelation of KSCA. The study contributes to global discussions on aligning educational outcomes with industry requirements in the context of 4IR. It provides insights to recalibrate South African higher education curricula, ensuring graduate preparedness, and enhancing the employability of future construction professionals
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
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