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An assessment of critical success factors for the reduction of the cost of poor quality from construction projects in South Africa

Selection of procurement systems in the South African construction industry : an exploratory study

  • Authors: Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Mathonsi, Musa D.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Industrial procurement , Construction industry - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/367333 , uj:4669 , ISSN 1684-1999 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10427
  • Description: Purpose of this paper: Procurement systems are vital in ensuring the successful implementation of construction projects precisely in all the phases of any particular project. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate in a systematic manner the factors that influence the selection of a procurement system in the South African construction industry. Research methodology: An extensive theory and literature review of procurement systems was conducted. The literature reviewed included a sample of case studies of procurement systems successfully implemented in completed building and civil engineering projects in South Africa. A questionnaire using a four-round Delphi survey method was used to conduct the empirical study in order to obtain participants' opinions about factors influencing the selection of procurement systems as well as the utility value of various procurement systems on each factor as identified. Finally, data analysis of both qualitative and quantitative techniques was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings: After qualitative analysis, findings of the literature reviewed suggest that factors that influence the selection of procurement systems cut across all the phases of the project as identified in this paper. Therefore, these factors are categorically classified into internal and external factors. Factors from the internal environment were further classified into client characteristics and project characteristics, with client characteristics comprising of variables such as clients' level of knowledge and control, political and social consideration, familiarity of procurement systems, competition, funding arrangement, government public/private sector projects and risk allocation whereas project characteristics comprise of factors (variables) such as size and technical complexity of the project, influence of the project life cycle, expedited project delivery, time, quality and price certainty. Factors from the external environment include variables such as market competition, information technology, regulatory environment, natural causes and globalisation. Research limitations: In terms of its scope this study focused on both national and international literature reviews and the empirical survey of this study was conducted within South Africa. Its target participants were limited to civil engineers, quantity surveyors, construction/project managers, architects and contractors located in three provinces of South Africa, namely Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces. Value: This study investigates factors that influence the selection of procurement systems in South Africa for the purpose of assisting and guiding construction practitioners in selecting suitable procurement systems for their planned projects. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that due to changes in the construction industry both factors from the internal and external environments such as size and complexity of construction projects, macro and micro economic conditions, political and social and information technology prevailing, traditional procurement method need to be supplemented with contemporary procurement systems in order to meet the new demands of the industry.
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Influences of mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of graduate employees

An exploratory study of the problems faced by women graduates mentees in the construction sector : a literature review

  • Authors: Nkomo, Morena William , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Construction workers , Mentoring in business
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71793 , uj:18197 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. An exploratory study of the problems faced by women graduates mentees in the construction sector : a literature review.
  • Description: Abstract: Women have a limited advancement in the construction industry due to lack of structured mentorship programme. Mentorship has been used as a tool to advance women in their careers. Previous research has shown that the successful mentorship of women was insufficient. In South Africa the construction industry is currently economically active and has a shortage of qualified and skilled professionals. This paper assesses problems to female graduates’ mentoring in the South African construction industry, recommends measures to promote their mentoring, retention and participation in infrastructure development and examine perceived career barriers of women in entry level and mid-level positions who were formally and informally mentored. The study was mainly a literature review, qualitative with a special focus on women mentoring problems of employees within organizations. The results indicated only one significant finding, informally mentored protégés rated lack of mentoring as more of a barrier to advancement than who reported being formally mentored. The study contributes to social change by providing empirical support for the importance of formal mentoring in empowering women for future career advancement and a guide for policy changes for government and strategies for industry, education and society to solve the problems women graduates experience in South Africa.
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Exploratory study of preconditions for unsafe acts of employees in the construction industry

Confirmatory factor analysis of contractors’ safety policy

Structural equation modelling of building quality constructs as a predictor of satisfaction in subsidised low-income housing

  • Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Building quality features , Structural equation modelling , Residential satisfaction - South Africa , Low-income housing - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12434
  • Description: Residents’ satisfaction with the building quality and housing condition features has received an increasing recognition as a significant factor which influences the occupants’ satisfaction with their housing units. This paper reports the use of Structural Equation Modelling technique to test the influence of building quality features as a predictor of residents’ satisfaction. The study was conducted amongst South Africa housing practitioners’ and the low-income housing occupants’. Data used in the study were obtained from a Delphi and field questionnaire study. Primary data were collected by a face-to-face administered questionnaire survey conducted among 751 low-income housing residents’ in three metropolitan and one district municipality in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Data gathered via the questionnaire survey were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) which was used to assess the factorial structure of the constructs. Using Structural Equation Modelling software - EQS version 6.2, the factorial structure, reliability and validity of building quality features indicator variables were investigated. The statistical results support the research hypothesised positive relationship that building quality feature has a direct influence in predicting residents’ satisfaction with their houses. Also, the influence of building quality feature on residents’ satisfaction was statistically significant. Further SEM analysis revealed that the Rho and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of internal consistency were over 0.70 criterions for acceptability, and the constructs shows a good mode fit to the sample data. The Z-statistics analysis also revealed that the constructs have direct influence in determining low-income residents’ satisfaction with their houses. The result advocates a practical consideration of these construct in future development of subsidised low-income housing in South Africa.
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Employers' Contribution Towards Health and Safety Compliance

Comments from the property industry on Masters Real Estate curricula in South Africa

  • Authors: Chikafalimani, S.H.P. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Cloete, C. E.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Property industry , Real estate - Curricula
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4680 , ISSN 978-0-86970-713-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10450
  • Description: Purpose: The aim of this paper is to report comments given in a survey of property professionals in the industry on Masters Real Estate (MRE) curricula in South Africa. Methodology: A questionnaire was administered to obtain comments from property professionals in the industry on MRE curricula in South Africa. Findings: The property industry survey revealed that MRE curricula in South Africa have both strengths and weaknesses. The main strength of the curricula noted by the property professionals is that the curricula are interdisciplinary. Weaknesses reported include lack of case studies and practical components in the curricula. Research limitations: Results of the survey will not directly influence change to the processes of curriculum development for postgraduate real estate education in South Africa. Curricula development will largely depend on outcomes of discussions of lecturing staff and university administrations implementing the courses. Value: The study will support processes of curricula improvement for MRE programmes in South Africa
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Engineering education and marketing of engineering business enterprise : the case of construction education

  • Authors: Yankah, J.E. , Aigbavboa, C. O. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction , Engineering education , Marketing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213249 , uj:21124 , Citation: Yankah, J.E., Aigbavboa, C.O & Thwala, W.I. 2016. Engineering education and marketing of engineering business enterprise : the case of construction education.
  • Description: Abstract: The remarkably challenging features of the construction industry in the 21" century are globalization, the restructuring of the world economy, changes experienced in project financing and delivery systems, the pervasive utilization of information and communication technologies (ICT, and the increasing intensity of competition which threatens the growth, survival and profitability of engineering businesses with construction being the most affected. Marketing as a management function, which has been identified as imperative for businesses facing such challenges has not been welcomed by the construction industry. Marketing in consternation is marked by misconceptions, misperceptions, lack of understanding among others which are traceable to education and training of construction management team members. This paper examines the aspects of construction education that impacts negatively on marketing performance of construction businesses, namely content and structure of curriculum for construction education, availability of construction marketing research reports and teacher qualification for teaching marketing to construction students. Finding reveal that the content of construction marketing syllabus is outdated and fall short of elements necessary for effective teaching the state of the art marketing in construction. Paucity of construction marketing research and lack of general helpful literature remains a challenge. Qualification of teachers appears to be a big challenge. Urgent need exist for revision of existing syllabus, efforts at addressing research towards addressing existing challenges with marketing in construction and guidelines for preparing teachers for teaching marketing to construction students. Construction education consultants, curriculum developers, construction education and training institutions and similar professional organization will find this useful.
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The role of beneficiaries’ participation in South Africa low-income housing occupants’ satisfaction

  • Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2013
  • Subjects: Low-income housing - South Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/365641 , uj:4865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12541
  • Description: The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an investigation conducted in South Africa subsidised low-income housing, on how beneficiary’s participation could influence residents’ satisfaction with their houses. The study was conducted amongst South Africa housing practitioners’ and the low-income housing occupants’. Data used in the study was obtained from a Delphi and field questionnaire study. Using Structural Equation Modelling software EQS, the influence of beneficiaries’ participation was investigated. The finding was that beneficiary participation influence on the residents’ satisfaction was statistically significant and hence exacted a direct influence in the prediction of the residents’ satisfaction with their houses. The research was conducted in South Africa three metropolitan and one district municipalities. Therefore due to the idiosyncratic dataset used in the study, it remains to be seen if the evaluated relationships between beneficiary participation and residents’ satisfaction can replicate to other cross-cultural datasets. If this is the case, the paper makes a significant contribution towards understanding residential satisfaction on subsidised low-income housing projects. This study provided significant insight into how beneficiary participation influence residents’ satisfaction and how residents’ satisfaction with their houses could be improved.
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An exploratory study of effective mentoring programs for graduates in the South African construction industry

Performance of construction projectsin the gauteng province of shouth: insight of consultants and contractors

Investigation of construction stakeholders' perception on the effects & cost of construction disputes in Swaziland

  • Authors: Mashwama, N.X. , Aigbovboa, C. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction disputes - Swaziland , Construction industry - Swaziland
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/376852 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/94064 , uj:20426 , Citation: Mashwama, N.X., Aigbavboa, C.O. & Thwala, W.D. 2016. Investigation of construction stakeholders' perception on the effects & cost of construction disputes in Swaziland.
  • Description: Abstract: Construction Projects are often delivered under a complex and uncertain environment, with claims and conflict being an inevitable part. It is vital to manage claims and conflict as soon as possible before they turn into disputes. The intent of this paper is to investigate the effects and cost of construction dispute in construction projects in Swaziland. The data used in this study were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data for the study was derived from the review of literature. The primary data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire which was distributed to client (government), contractors and consultant representatives (quantity surveyor! , civil engineer, architects, project managers and mechanical and electrical engineers), only organizations registered with the ministry of public work and transport in Swaziland and other professional bodies were surveyed. Findings enacting from the survey revealed that the major effects of construction disputes in Swaziland construction projects were loss of productivity, loss of company reputation, loss of business viability, loss of profitability. With respect to cost of disputes, the findings revealed that hidden cost; indirect cost; direct cost, were major factor for cost of disputes. The results of this study contribute to the body of knowledge and provide valuable insight to actual effects and cost of disputes in Swaziland construction projects, hence the effects are ugly. The study recommends that every stakeholder in the Swaziland construction industry familiarise themselves with the strategies of avoiding construction dispute to avoid the occurrence. Also the government m! ust take up an initiative of educating all stakeholders about dispute avoidance, it would save the project and company fortunes.
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The impacts of variation orders on South Africa public sector construction projects

  • Authors: Ngwepe, Lusca , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Variation order , Prevalence , Public construction projects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/73610 , uj:18431 , Citation: Ngwepe, L., Aigbavboa, C. & Thwala, W. 2015. The impacts of variation orders on South Africa public sector construction projects.
  • Description: Abstract: The complexity, uncertainty, long-duration and the involvement of the sequential tasks and relationships of participants in/of the construction projects render this category of projects prone to variations along their progress. Variations create extra work, time, and money for the construction projects and they vary from one project to another. This paper investigates the impacts of variation orders on public sector projects in South Africa. To achieve the objectives of the study, a critical review of literature was done coupled with questionnaire survey to collect information on possible impacts of variations on the public projects in SA. Through the review of literature 7 major possible impacts of variation orders were identified which provided the basis for the formulation of the questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to professionals who work for companies that undertake public construction projects in South Africa. Targeted number of respondents was 50; however a total number of 70 questionnaires were sent out to make up for the cases were respondents did not return questionnaires. Overall, 50 questionnaires were returned and after a careful examination of the received questionnaires only 39 were usable. These formed the basis of the analysis for the study, since it accounts for 78% of the initial sample. Findings revealed that variation orders have major impact on i) time overruns, ii) cost overruns, iii) quality standard enhanced, iv) disputes amongst parties to the contract, and v) productivity degradation, iv) complaints of one or more parties to the contract. It was further noted from the results that variation orders rarely affected health and safety aspect of the public construction projects since all the factors relating to health and safety were the lowest ranked; health and safety degradation, additional health and safety officials, additional health and safety equipment. However, this results are in disagreement with the results on the critical determinants of variation orders on SA public sector construction projects because health and safety conditions was ranked the highest reason for variation orders under other related reasons for variation orders. What these findings mean is that safety considerations may be the reason to cause variation orders but variation orders do not affect health and safety on the construction project.
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Leadership styles of construction project leaders – a theoretical perspective

  • Authors: Liphadzi, Murendeni , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/69067 , uj:17813 , Citation: Liphadzi, M., Aigbavboa, C. & Thwala, W. 2015. Leadership styles of construction project leaders – a theoretical perspective.
  • Description: Abstract: This study presents a review of literature relating to leadership styles in the construction industry, with the specific aim of identifying the best suited leadership style in the construction industry. The research objective was necessitated because of the vital role of leadership in achieving organizational goals and the promotion of individual professional’s achievement. To this end, leadership has been widely covered in management/ business school, however, little attention has been given to managerial and leadership behaviour or styles of leaders in the construction industry. The study is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and unpublished research. This study is mainly a literature review on leadership in the construction industry. One of the primary findings emanating from the study reveals that there are a number of leadership styles available to construction professional. However, for the construction industry and for the managers to be effective they must be able to identify and apply the necessary leadership style suitable for the given situation. Moreover, they should be able to adapt to changes and sometimes contradictory circumstances in which they need to show versatility and flexibility. The study explores leadership and leadership styles in the construction industry and it further highlight’s the theoretical literature with regard to leadership. The study presents a robust background on the leadership styles of construction project leaders.
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An exploratory study on mentoring in the South African construction industry

  • Authors: Nkomo, Morena William , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Formal mentoring
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71936 , uj:18214 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. An exploratory study on mentoring in the South African construction industry.
  • Description: Abstract: Mentoring is important for all young employees entering the workplace. Despite the growing research on both sets of individuals, mentors and proteges, mentoring from the perspective of the organizational remains comparatively under reported. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of mentoring in the construction industry.Further more it will identify the drawbacks, benefits and examine future prospects of formal mentoring in medium sized and large organisations in South African construction industy. The paper focuses on how organisations view mentoring. The study was mainly a literature review with a special focus on formal mentoring. The data used in the report was mainly qualitative, based on the, case studies and historical data. The review is into formal mentoring of young employees entering the work place. The scope of this review is confined to the literature that discusses formal mentoring internal to the workplace which support on and off job learning. The results revealed the organisation current situation and the issues that are important to the HR function. Mentoring is primarily used to transfer tacit knowledge from those near retirement to younger employees, foster the personel development and create well being at work. Career advancement and work performance are not as impotant as might have been thought. Young employees, in particular may demand the use of social media, along side mentoring.
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Motivation as a tool to improve productivity on the construction site

  • Authors: Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Monese, Lydia Nthabiseng
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Construction industry - Labor productivity , Construction workers - Job satisfaction , Employee motivation
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4692 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10486
  • Description: Purpose of this paper - Is to identify the factors that promote positive motivational behaviour among construction workers as to improve production in the construction site. Furthermore the study will identify consistencies in the behaviour of motivated, satisfied, committed and loyal employees in the construction field since these are important characteristics in the workplace. Methodology/ Scope - The study is mainly a literature review with a special focus on the human resource management and leadership. A survey will be later conducted. Findings - There are definite differences between different cultures as to how people can be motivated; this also must be taken into consideration. Management should play an active and continuous role in managing on site motivational processes; employee’s desired outcomes should be tied to performance; and management should focus on eliminating performance obstacles. Research limitations – The study will mainly be a literature survey of both South African and international experience. Value - Workers are an asset to the business and it is up to the management to value them. It can not be a solution to hire and fire continuously as has been the common practice, recruiting goes with resources and money; and it is through the management that the companies grows, thus
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Organic growth of Small and Medium-Sized firms : perspective of Ghanaian Construction industry

  • Authors: Arthur-Aidoo, B.M. , Aigbavboa, C.O. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Construction , Growth , Organic
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/87788 , uj:19627 , Citation: Arthur-Aidoo, B.M., Aigbavboa, C.O. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. Organic growth of Small and Medium-Sized firms : perspective of Ghanaian Construction industry.
  • Description: Abstract: Growth of firms have widely been acknowledged in literature due to its significance as one of the key indicators of expansion of a firms in terms of market stock, increased in turnover, increased in employment, increased in acquisition of plant and equipment amongst others. Growth is however classified as organic or inorganic. Inorganic growth of firms is the expansion of a firm by integration or merging with another firm to achieve synergy while organic growth ensues when a firm expands as a result of its own internal activities from within. This study explores into organic growth and further highlights on the necessary drivers that will enhance organic growth among Small and Medium-sized Construction firms (SMEs) in Ghana. In order to achieve this purpose, the study adopted the use of extensive literature review supported by electronic questionnaire survey which focused on the owners of the SMEs as well as professionals engaged by the SME’s. In all, the study had responds rate of 80 percent which revealed that construction SME’s attained organic growth when there is proper management structure in place that ensures that all aspect of the corporate goals is accomplished. Further organic growth of SMEs happens when all internal rifts such as communication barriers, bad human relations, dearth motivation issues, remuneration issues, peril-conducive working environment within the firm are resolved to enable employees to work towards growth. The study recommends that owners of small and medium-sized construction firms must endeavour to recruit professionals who will ensure best management practice to encourage organic growth
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The impact of information communication and technology in rural development : a case of Moletjie, Limpopo Province

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