2 research outputs found
Digital transformation in the South African quantity surveying profession: a strategic approach
No full textThis research aimed to explore the factors influencing digital transformation among South African quantity surveying firms. It investigated the role of technological, organisational and environmental factors (TOE framework) in shaping the digital strategies of these firms. The study further identified the key stages of digital adoption they reached along their pathway to digital maturity. The study is motivated by the need to enhance the digital responsiveness of quantity surveying practices to emerging technologies and market demands. The research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, integrating quantitative data from questionnaires with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. The TOE framework guided the exploration of factors affecting digital transformation. The study engaged private sector quantity surveying professionals across South Africa, providing a broad geographic perspective within the industry. Findings indicated that only 31% of the responding firms had a digital transformation strategy, of which only 14% were considered well-defined. Within the technology construct, relative advantages (increased work productivity) drove digital adoption, while perceived challenges (security risks and financial constraints) hindered progress. Organisationally, there was a recognised need to balance traditional quantity surveying and emerging digital services. Environmentally, firms aimed to add value for clients and remain competitive despite lacking benchmarking against competitors. Uncertainties regarding government support (erratic power supply) further complicate their future-ready efforts.With a lack of well-defined strategies, participants were still in the early stages of their digital transformation journey towards digital maturity. The study is geographically limited to South Africa and may not reflect conditions in other regions. Future research could expand to compare with global practices or explore alternative factors as quantity surveying firms reach increased digital responsiveness. Insights from this research could lead to better strategic alignment, the adoption of digital tools and potentially influence policy and practice in the industry. Firms can leverage findings to benchmark their digital maturity and follow the conceptual guideline, which simplifies the complex process of developing pathways for increased innovation and efficiency. This study contributes new insights into the digital transformation processes of quantity surveying firms in a less studied context, providing a valuable addition to both academic literature and industry practices. It highlights the importance of a structured digital strategy as a component of industry competitiveness and sustainability.Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment, and Technology, School of Built Environment and Civil Engineering, 202
Urogenital cultures and preterm birth in women with cervical cerclage: a single center retrospective cohort study
No full textAbstract Background The leading hypothesis of the pathogenesis of cervical insufficiency suggests a role of cervical inflammation. Urogenital tract infections could play a causative role in this process. To test this hypothesis in women with a cervical cerclage, we aimed to retrospectively examine the relationship between gestational age (GA) at delivery and positive urogenital cultures. Methods This single center retrospective study reviewed the records of all women with a singleton pregnancy that underwent cervical cerclage (n = 203) between 2010 and 2020 at the University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium. Transvaginal cerclages were categorized as history indicated (TVC I, n = 94), ultrasound indicated (TVC II, n = 79) and clinically indicated (TVC III, n = 20). Additionally, ten women received transabdominal cerclage (TAC). Urogenital cultures (vaginal and urine) were taken before and after cerclage with 4-week intervals. Urogenital cultures were reported ‘positive’ if urine and/or vaginal cultures showed significant growth of a microorganism. Treatment decision depended on culture growth and clinical presentation. The primary aim was to evaluate the association between the urogenital culture results and the GA at delivery, for each of the cerclage groups. Secondarily, to investigate the effect of antibiotic treatment of positive cultures on GA at delivery. Results Positive pre-cerclage urogenital cultures were associated with lower GA at delivery in TVC III (positive culture 26w4d ± 40d vs. negative 29w6d ± 54d, p = 0.036). For TVC I, GA at delivery was longer when pre-cerclage urogenital cultures were positive (positive culture 38w0d ± 26d vs. negative 35w4d ± 42d, p = 0.035). Overall post-cerclage urogenital cultures status was not associated with a different GA at delivery. Treating patients with pre- or post-cerclage positive urogenital cultures did also not change GA at delivery. Conclusion Positive urogenital cultures taken before clinically indicated cerclage intervention may be associated with lower GA at delivery. However, there seems to be no benefit of antibiotic treatment or routine urogenital cultures during follow-up of asymptomatic women after cerclage placement
