Marketing construction business in Ghana : the problems, prospects and strategies
- Authors: Yankah, J.E. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku , Aigbavboa, C.O. , Pretorius, J.G.
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Marketing , Construction , Ghana
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/80811 , uj:18761 , Citation: Yankah, J.E. et al. 2015. Marketing construction business in Ghana : the problems, prospects and strategies.
- Description: Abstract: Many construction enterprises still oftenfail to realize that marketing entails more than just playing withfew isolated promotional tools, such as distributing brochures, advertising, promotional videos, which they often employ without following a structured marketing plan formulated in line with the organization's aims and objectives. Such ad hoc approach to marketing in the construction industry has resulted in an uphill struggle with little to no success. This paper identifies the problems that has led to the ad hoc approach to marketing in the construction industry and examines the prospects for improving the situation. It discusses the strategies to be adopted to improve the effectiveness of implementing marketing in the management of construction business. The study adopts descriptive research design and the use of literature review as a method to identify, summarize and synthesize extant literature on construction marketing to show why the need exist for marketing in the management of construction business. The paper finds that gaps exist in existing construction marketing research knowledge in general and Ghana in particular . There is the need for scientific research which focuses on development of frameworks or models to guide the marketing of construction businesses in developing countries. Construction enterprise owners, construction marketing/management researchers, construction education curriculum developers and managers of construction business organizations will find this paper useful. Future research work must focus on developing construction industry specific frameworks or models to guide the marketing of construction businesses.
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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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Project communication within small and medium-sized construction firms
- Authors: Aidoo, B.M. , Aigbavboa, C.O. , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Communication , Construction
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/67499 , uj:17609 , Citation: Aidoo, B.M., Aigbavboa, C.O. & Thwala, W.D. 2015. Project communication within small and medium-sized construction firms.
- Description: Abstract: Communication is considered as a tool in the heart of management in enhancing project targets and Milestones not only in the construction sector but other sectors as well. The construction industry has however been characterized with its massive investment and associated risks. As a result, when main and sub-activities and tasks to be executed on project sites are not properly communicated among project teams and stakeholders, it will vehemently incur additional cost on the project, cause injury from accidents and may delay the entire project completion schedule amongst others. This exploratory study seek to establish the project communication structure used by construction SMEs and also to develop a pattern within the communication structure of SMEs that will avert uncertainties in a form of barriers to their communication. In order to accomplish the exploratory study, semi-structure interview sessions were conducted among construction professionals and clients via purposive sampling. The targeted population for the study was adequately prepared as a result of the prior notification for the interviews. Findings from the study revealed that most of the construction SMEs do not have established communication structure in their operations. Further, the SMEs only realized the need for a communication pattern when they encounter complex issues such as dispute on a claim with clients and stakeholders. The study recommends that prior to the execution of projects by SMEs, the communication lines must be clearly defined as well as the reporting a system with an in-depth briefing for all team members and stakeholders to be privy.
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The economic and social impacts of site accidents on the small and medium sized construction companies in Nigeria
- Authors: Okorie, V.N. , Aigbavboa, C.O.
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Accident , Construction , Company
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/217144 , uj:21604 , Citation: Okorie, V.N. & Aigbavboa, C.O. 2016. The economic and social impacts of site accidents on the small and medium sized construction companies in Nigeria.
- Description: Abstract: Small and medium sized contractors represent the large number of construction companies in Nigeria. They play an important role in the construction industry. However, site fatalities and injuries cases among the small and medium sized construction companies still remain the most health and safety (H&S) issues around the world. This study seeks to examine the economic and social impacts of site accidents on the small and medium sized construction companies in Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was then structured from literature and administered to twenty (20) selected small and medium sized construction companies with not less than hundred (100) workers within the South-West Geopolitical zone of Nigeria. This was followed by interviews conducted with the owners/directors of the five selected companies and workers randomly picked among the selected companies. Data was electronically manipulated using MS Excel. From the analysis, the study revealed that site accidents contribute to loss of productivity, damage to plant and equipment, payment for settlements of injury or death claims, all these have economic impacts on the companies’ balance sheets. The study further revealed that site accidents lead to loss of customers’ confidence, tarnishing of image and loss of public confidence on the contractors, these are the social impacts. Nevertheless, there is a general lack of commitment to workers’ health, safety and wellbeing among the small and medium sized construction companies. The study concludes that site fatalities and injuries cases among the small and medium sized construction companies still remain the most health and safety (H&S) issues. The study therefore, recommends that contractors irrespective of their sizes should demonstrate visible leadership and commitment to workers’ H&S by training them on site H&S and providing adequate financial resources for improvement of site accidents.
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