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A review of the impact of construction automation and robotics on project delivery

  • Authors: Akinradewo, O. I. , Aigbavboa, C. O. , Okafor, C. C. , Oke, A. E. , Thwala, D. W.
  • Date: 2021
  • Subjects: Automation , Construction , Industralised Building System
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/479945 , uj:43430 , Citation: Akinradewo, O.I. et al. 2021. A review of the impact of construction automation and robotics on project delivery. , DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1107/1/012011
  • Description: Abstract: The use of construction technologies is to improve working conditions, improve health and safety, scheduling and improving quality of the construction products. Construction automation redefines construction with machines and advanced technology to mitigate the problems faced in construction, such as labour-related issues among others. To adequately understand the impact of automation and robotics in the construction industry, this study is aimed at reviewing extant literature on how automation and robotics can be put into use in the construction industry as it is being used in the manufacturing industry. The study employed a systematic literature review approach and sourced for published journal and conference articles from Web of Science and Scopus databases. The review revealed that construction automation and robotics increase accuracy of components’ dimension through the use of lasers for dimension analysis, promote design specifications through the use of computer aided designs, increase quality of construction products by ensuring standards are met, brings cost effectiveness as value for money spent is achieved, eliminate material wastage due to accurate and precise estimate of materials needed, reduce construction accidents due to the usage of machines for dangerous construction activities, improve working condition as workers’ are more secure and safety is guaranteed, and reduce labour cost given the fact that machines are deployed for construction activities.
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An appraisal of critical risk factors in construction projects in South Africa : perspective of contractors

  • Authors: Renault, Berenger , Agumba, Justus , Ansary, Nazeem
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction , Contractors , Risk factors
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/214935 , uj:21343 , Citation: Renault, B., Agumba, J & Ansary, N. 2016. An appraisal of critical risk factors in construction projects in South Africa : perspective of contractors.
  • Description: Abstract: The significant impact of construction projects on a nation has been characterized in literature in terms of infrastructure development and job creation. These projects are nevertheless associated with various risks that need to be managed to ensure successful delivery. Hence, the identification of these risk factors is of utmost importance. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing contractors‘ perception of critical risk factors in construction projects in Gauteng (South Africa). Explorative and questionnaire survey methods were employed to obtain data from literature and construction professionals all practising in Gauteng. Results revealed that supply of faulty materials, poor communication between involved parties, financial failure of the contractor, working at dangerous areas and closure were the five critical risk factors in construction projects. It is obvious from the results that the knowledge of the identified critical risk factors furnishes invaluable information to the construction contractor concerning what risk variables to focus attention on in construction activities. The paper contributes to the identification of critical risk factors in construction projects from an objective point.
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Analysis of credit rationing among construction enterprises SMEs within financial institutions : a case of Gauteng Province in South Africa

  • Authors: Balogun, Olanrewaju Abdul , Agumba, Justus Ngala , Ansary, Nazeem
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Construction , Enterprises (SMEs) , Financial Institutions
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244797 , uj:25318 , Citation: Balogun, O.A., Agumba, J.N. & Ansary, N. 2017. Analysis of credit rationing among construction enterprises SMEs within financial institutions : a case of Gauteng Province in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Economic diversification is a key policy goal for the Government of South Africa. SMEs offer a feasible option towards the actualization of this goal. The expansion of construction SMEs in South Africa, however is constrained by lack of access to bank credit. This constrained access to credit is argued in the literature to be due to the credit rationing behavior of banks emanating from asymmetric information in credit markets. Constrained access to credit stifles the growth potential of this vibrant sector which is increasingly generating employment opportunities especially for young enterprises. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 2007). This study therefore investigated the factors that influence the credit rationing behavior of banks towards SMEs. A deductive methodological approach was used to examine this problem. The structured survey questionnaire was administered to 179 construction small and medium organizations to elicit relevant data about their credit rationing. Binary logistic regression was applied to determine the influence of demographic variables on credit rationing. The statistical package for social science version 22 was used.The study findings suggest that the experience of SMEs reduces their probability of being credit rationed by banks. From the bank perspective the experience of SMEs is determined from their ability to keep proper financial statements, the performance of their bank accounts with the banks, and their ability to make profits. This calls for capacity building of SMEs in areas of business management (including financial record keeping) if they are to be rated as credit worthy borrowers by the banks. From the SMEs perspective, there is need for banks to improve their efficiency in terms of reduction of loan processing time and cost of borrowing (i.e. interest rate). This will improve access to bank credit by the construction SMEs and promote their growth thereby stimulating economic diversification, employment creation opportunities, and poverty reduction in line with South African Vision 2020
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Assessing the influence of mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of new construction employees : a literature review

  • Authors: Nkomo, Morena William , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Mentoring , Construction , Graduates
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/71946 , uj:18216 , Citation: Nkomo, M.W. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. Assessing the influence of mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of new construction employees : a literature review.
  • Description: Abstract: The business world has long known and relied upon mentoring as a proven technique for developing in house talent. Previous studies proved that the implementation of mentoring programme is beneficial for enhancing employee skills and attitudes. Few researchers are devoted to exploring the impact of mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of new graduates. This paper is aimed at examining the effects of mentoring functions on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of new construction employees in the influence of mentoring functions in South African construction industry. The study was mainly a literature review, an exploratory study with a special focus on the impact of mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment of employees within organizations. The data used in the report was mainly qualitative, based on the historical data. The study indicated that career development and role modelling functions have a positive effect on the job satisfaction and organizational commitment of new employees. However the psychosocial support function was incapable of providing adequate explanation for these work outcomes. The study suggest that graduate managers should improve the career development and role modelling functions of mentoring in order to enhance the job satisfaction, organizational commitment of new employees. The early success of the initiatives described provide useful lessons for the construction industry and executives who recognize that mentoring functions on job satisfaction and organizational commitment are critical for sustaining future organizational performance.
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Assuring health and safety (H&S) performance on construction projects - clients' role and influence

Client attitude to health and safety (H&S) - a report on contractor's perceptions

Client attitude to health and safety – a report on contractor’s perceptions

  • Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo , Smallwood, John
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Attitude , Botswana , Client , Construction , Health and safety
  • Language: English
  • Type: Journal article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/32882 , uj:16232 , Citation: Musonda, I., Haupt, T., & Smallwood, J.J. (2009). Client attitude to health and safety – a report on contractor’s perceptions. Acta Structilia : journal for the physical and development science 16(2):65-85. ISSN 10230564
  • Description: Abstract: The purpose of this article is to present findings of a preliminary survey on Contractors’ perceptions of clients’ attitude relative to health and safety (H&S) implementation in Botswana’s construction industry and in a way that of the Southern Africa. A questionnaire survey was conducted on construction projects to establish clients’ attitude towards H&S. Interviews were also conducted with contractor’s representatives on selected construction sites in and around Gaborone, Botswana. Findings from the survey include: clients do not perceive H&S to be very important on construction projects, most clients do not address H&S adequately in contract documentation and H&S is rarely a major agenda item in progress meetings. Findings were also that clients are not fully committed to H&S implementation. The client sets the tone for H&S culture. Client attitude is therefore very important for H&S performance improvement as all stakeholders are compelled to act in line with the client’s values. The importance of the client to H&S performance improvement has been recognised by various researchers. The extent to which clients are involved in H&S implementation has however not been researched extensively especially in Southern Africa. This article therefore provides an insight into the clients’ attitude towards H&S and in a way explains the reason for the current state of H&S in Botswana’s construction industry.
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Client commitment and attitude to construction health and safety in Botswana

Confirmatory factor analysis of contractors’ safety policy

Construction contingency determination : a review of processes and techniques

Contribution of value management to construction projects in South Africa

  • Authors: Aigbavboa, Clinton , Oke, Ayodeji , Mojele, Sponono
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction , Project , Teamwork
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215571 , uj:21433 , Citation: Aigbavboa, C., Oke, A & Mojele, S. 2016. Contribution of value management to construction projects in South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: For clients, owners and financiers of construction projects, construction process signify a huge capital investment which translate into substantial fixed costs for their organizations. Value Management (VM) is a business strategy tool to ascertain whether construction of a facility will provide best function at the lowest possible cost. This study examines the contribution of value management to construction projects with a view to assessing challenges and measures to improve adoption and application of the discipline. Primary data were collected through well-structured questionnaires administered on construction professionals within the study area and Mean Item Score was used for data analysis. The major contributions of VM to the South African construction industry include optimize value for money, creates a clearer focus on the project objectives and works towards arriving at a more effective design. However, poor communication, lack of interaction and unwillingness of clients to pay for VM service, were the challenges affecting the adoption of VM. In order to improve construction project performance using the process of value management, orientation meetings should be duly organised, team structure should be finalised and team members must be appropriately selected for construction projects. Built environment professionals - including construction and project managers, should familiarize themselves with VM and strive for its full adoption and implementation for construction projects in order to achieve best value at the lowest complete life cycle project cost for construction clients.
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Costing of health and safety elements in 2 construction projects in Gauteng, South Africa

Dominant factors hampering full participation of female contractors in the South African construction industry

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

Health and safety (H&S) awareness and implementation in Botswana's construction industry

Human factor related challenges of marketing construction business enterprise

  • Authors: Jonas, Yanka , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Business management , Construction , Human factors , Marketing
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/93878 , uj:20404 , Citation: Jonas, Y., Aigbavboa, C. & Thwala, W. 2016. Human factor related challenges of marketing construction business enterprise.
  • Description: Abstract: Marketing is acknowledged as a necessary business management function but its application in construction is intensely hindered by some human factors in the construction industry. The paper is aimed at identifying the specific human factors in the construction industry that hinder marketing adoption and implementation in construction and to initiate further debate on this important but Cinderella subject. It uses literature review as a method to identify, summarize, synthesize and show the gaps in the existing research knowledge on human factors affecting Marketing Performance (MP) of Construction Businesses (CB). Factors such as marketing skills, manpower, attitude towards and conception of marketing hinders greatly on MP of CB. Construction marketing researchers must focus attention on the human factors that affect construction marketing. Educational consultants, curriculum developers and training institutions will find the paper useful in revising existing curriculum to reflect current trends in the management of construction business enterprise.
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Identifying barriers of sustainable construction : a Nigerian case study

  • Authors: Ifije, Ohiomah , Aigbavboa, Clinton
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Sustainability , Barriers , Construction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/434841 , uj:37657 , Citation: Ifije, O. & Aigbavboa, C. 2020. Identifying barriers of sustainable construction : a Nigerian case study. , DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202031204004
  • Description: Abstract: Sustainable development has become an important part of the lives and aspect of enterprises operations globally. There is a global trend to enhance sustainable practices in all sectors and most especially the construction sectors, this study discusses the factors that best prevent the implementation of sustainable construction in the Nigeria construction industry. The study further explores and determines the reliability of how sustainability should be measured in the Nigeria construction industry. The study used both primary and secondary data to meet the set objective. The primary data were gathered through the use of a questionnaire distributed to construction professionals, contractors and clients. Indicative findings arising from the study revealed that; Building regulations and financial incentives are found to be the main drivers of sustainable construction in Nigeria and Lack of client demand and awareness and a general perception that adopting sustainable construction is expensive. The research concluded by recommending that government help with building policies to help push construction firms towards sustainable construction and also awareness campaigns should be carried out so that clients would demand and be aware of the benefits of sustainable construction.
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Identifying factors influencing construction workers’ food choices in Gauteng, South Africa: A pilot investigation

Increasing the capacity of transmission lines via current uprating: an updated review of benefits, considerations and developments

Influences of cultural differences on construction project delivery : a case of Gauteng province

  • Authors: Matobole, Khotso , Ogunsanya, Oluwabukunmi , Aigbavboa, Clinton
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction , Contractors , Culture
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215557 , uj:21431 , Citation: Matobole, K., Ogunsanya, O & Aigbavboa, C. 2016. Influences of cultural differences on construction project delivery : a case of Gauteng province.
  • Description: Abstract: The Construction Industry is by nature one of the most diverse working environments. The South African Construction Industry is not an exception to this rule. The Industry has witnessed great diversity in its workforce mix at all levels since the return to democracy in 1994. Thus, peoples from erstwhile segregated communities are brought together to work in achieving a common project objective. The intricate influence of this cultural mix and the pressure it exerts paper provides insight into the influence of culture and cultural difference on teams working together towards project delivery. The study adopts a mixed method approach by use of interviews and questionnaires through a convenience sampling of construction professionals in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. Findings from this research confirm that factors such as sociability, masculinity, power, equity, individualism, avoidance, collectivism are cultural dimensions prominent in multicultural teams. The influences of cultural aspects that rank highest are irritation due to misunderstanding, encouraging team building, motivating workers to work harder. The study concludes that while a lot has been done in integrating project teams from different cultures in the South African construction industry efforts should be concentrated on mitigating the effect of masculinity and irritation due to misunderstanding. It is recommended that Project Managers and Construction managers should more sensitive to the influence of cultural dimensions and deploy cultural awareness and appropriate leadership styles in mitigating its effects while channeling the positive influences towards organizational benefits. This research has provided insight into intrinsic cultural dimensions among construction industry workers in the Gauteng Province of South Africa and provides useful policy input for the Construction Industry Development Board and industry practitioners at large. The research is limited to the experiences of Construction Industry professionals in the Gauteng Province of South Africa due to the constraint of time.
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