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

- Nkomo, Morena William, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

  • 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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Evaluation of small and medium-sized enterprises' performance in the built environment

- Ladzani, Mmboswobeni Watson

  • Authors: Ladzani, Mmboswobeni Watson
  • Date: 2010-08-04T07:17:26Z
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Civil engineering research , Engineering management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:6898 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3372
  • Description: D.Phil. , South Africa’s SMMEs are characterised by, among other challenges, poor management, poor entrepreneurial performance and low global competitiveness. The Global Entrepreneurial Monitor (GEM) reported that South Africa ranks low in terms of global competitiveness. This study evaluated the management performance of small, micro- and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in the South African building construction industry, the third largest employer in South Africa. The main research aim was to find the reasons for the poor management performance of the building construction industry SMMEs and to make recommendations to improve the management performance of these SMMEs. International management performance models were analysed to select an appropriate model to evaluate the respondents’ management performance. The South African Excellence Model (SAEM) was deemed the most appropriate and was selected and used as research instrument. The researcher selected an evaluative, comparative design for the study. A two-part questionnaire was used for data collection. “Part 1” questionnaire profiled the sampled SMMEs to identify independent variables that influenced their management performance. The self-assessment performance measurement questionnaire (“Part 2” questionnaire) evaluated their management performance. The results of the study were twofold. Firstly, the mean-ranking results that ranked the eleven management performance criteria were tested for equality. Management performance criteria that showed low mean ranks were reasons for the respondents’ poor management performance. Secondly, independence tests identified the factors that influenced the SMMEs’ management performance. The greatest deficiency in terms of management performance was lack of social responsibility amongst SMMEs. The second largest deficiency occurred at business processes, followed by the planning and strategy, people management, and people satisfaction criteria. The most sufficient criterion was customer satisfaction, followed by leadership, customer and market focus, resources and information management and lastly supplier and partnership performance criteria. Hypothesised reasons for the respondents’ poor management performance were tested statistically. Of the five independent variables tested to determine whether they significantly improved the respondents’ management performance, education and technical skills training significantly improved the management performance. Age, gender and race of owner-managers, however, did not. The study recommends strengthening the SACEM by introducing financial management criteria and benchmarking SMMEs’ management performance with industry and world-class best practice. The study found that management performance criteria that showed low scores (social responsibility, business processes, and planning and strategy) require urgent intervention.
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Exploratory study of preconditions for unsafe acts of employees in the construction industry

- Mustapha, Z., Aigbavboa, C., Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

Early retirement of construction workers in South Africa : case of occupation permanent disability

- Agumba, Justus, Musonda, Innocent

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus , Musonda, Innocent
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Accidents , Construction industry , Permanent disability
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244756 , uj:25312 , Citation: Agumba, J. & Musonda, I. 2017. Early retirement of construction workers in South Africa : case of occupation permanent disability.
  • Description: Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine the types of accidents that lead to permanent disability of construction workers resulting in early retirement. The data was obtained from Federated Employer Mutual Assurance (FEM). The types of accidents were analysed from the decade of data from 2007 to 2016. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis established that 7 670 accidents were experienced in the construction industry from 2007 to 2016, of which the major cause of accidents in the construction industry in South Africa was being struck by e.g. object while working. Furthermore, the highest average cost of accident was when a construction worker was electrocuted, the average cost was R214 767.00. The most fatal accidents was caused by motor vehicles. The study further established that there is a 10% chance of a construction worker to be permanently disabled and take early retirement or permanently disabled without taking early retirement when involved in any type of accident while at work. In conclusion construction workers using any work related vehicle, either being transported to site or using the vehicle on site, caution should be adhered to in order to prevent fatalities. The government of South Africa should ensure that strict measures are taken for drivers who do not observe the traffic rules on site and on the public roads. This will ensure the prevention of permanent disability, among the construction workers in South Africa. It is also imperative for construction workers to receive training on health and safety when they work in any construction project, this need to be emphasized on a daily on site by the construction health and safety practitioners. The authors recommends a further study on the type of injury and ill-health associated with the type of accident that force the construction worker to retire early.
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Performance of construction projectsin the gauteng province of shouth: insight of consultants and contractors

- Eke, C.C., Aigbavboa, C.O., Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

An exploratory study on mentoring in the South African construction industry

- Nkomo, Morena William, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

  • 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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Perception of the effects of delay in construction projects: a case of Gauteng

- Mphego, Portia T., Agumba, Justus N.

  • Authors: Mphego, Portia T. , Agumba, Justus N.
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Delay , Effects
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/92773 , uj:20268 , Citation: Mphego, P.T. & Agumba, J.N. 2016. Perception of the effects of delay in construction projects: a case of Gauteng.
  • Description: Abstract: Construction industry globally is bemoaned by project delays despitethe importance of the Industry in most of the countries. In context of this sentiment this study examined the causes of construction project delays, the effects of construction projects delays, and strategies to improve construction projects delivery.A quantitative research methodologywas used.Questionnairewas developed from literature review. A total of76 conveniently sampled respondents were sent the questionnaires. Forty two useable questionnaires were returned representing response rate of 55.26%. The respondents were concentrated in Gauteng province in South Africa. The questionnaire consisted of twenty two factors defining causes of construction project delay, six factors related to effects of delays and ten proposed strategies to improve project delivery. The statistical parameters used were mean score and percentage and were computed using excel statistical method. The findings indicated that the most common causes of delay reported were improper planning, poor site managem ent and supervision,poor communication, skills shortages and corruption. The most common effects of delay were cost overrun,timeoverrun,disputes, litigation and total abandonment. Lastly the five highest strategies toimprove project delivery established were complete and proper design at the right time, site management and supervision,proper material procurement, clear informationand proper communication channels and frequent co-ordination between the parties.The study suggested that the constructioncompanies should concentrate on the strategies inorder to stifle project delay.A modelto reduce or prevent delaysfrom occurringonconstruction projects is advocated.
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An investigation of factors that assure a zero accident goal in construction sites in Gauteng, South Africa

- Van Heerden, J. H. F., Musonda, I., Okoro, C. S.

  • Authors: Van Heerden, J. H. F. , Musonda, I. , Okoro, C. S.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Gauteng , Health and safety
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282206 , uj:30405 , Citation: Van Heerden, J.H.F., Musonda, I. & Okoro, C.S. 2018. An investigation of factors that assure a zero accident goal in construction sites in Gauteng, South Africa.
  • Description: Abstract: Construction accidents and fatalities bear heavily on companies. Thus, achieving zero accidents on construction projects is a desired goal universally. The present study aims to identify critical conditions or factors to ensure zero accidents on projects. A field questionnaire survey was used to collect data in different locations in Gauteng. Participants were selected using snowballing and judgemental sampling techniques. Empirical data were analysed using EXCEL to output descriptive statistics including mean item scores and standard deviation. The factors were further ranked to identify the most important as perceived by the sampled respondents. The study found that clear H&S goals, regular recording of accidents and incidents, regular tool box talks as well as following strict H&S rules, procedures and processes were the most indicators of a good safety record among the sampled organisations. On the other hand, involving staff in H&S planning and worker incentives did not appear to have much bearing on achieving zero accidents in the organizations sampled. The study was conducted in only one Province in South Africa and may not be generalisable to construction organizations in entire country or other geographical areas. The current research identifies factors necessary to prevent or avoid accidents on construction sites. Continuous health and safety improvement is likely if factors to prevent accidents are taken into account to prevent their occurrence.
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Identifying factors of health and safety (H&S) culture for the construction industry

- Musonda, Innocent, Haupt, Theo C.

  • Authors: Musonda, Innocent , Haupt, Theo C.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Health and safety , Construction industry , LIP+3C culture model
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/150621 , uj:1095
  • Description: Purpose: This paper presents a review of previous studies on the subject of H&S culture and outline key H&S culture factors that are necessary to make the concept useful in the construction industry. A conceptualised model LIP+3C is also presented as the outcome of the review Design/methodology/approach: Literature review focused on exploring the conceptual definitions of H&S culture was conducted. A matrix for the identified literature was developed to identify common H&S culture elements. Findings: It was revealed that there is still confusion and lack of consensus on the concept of H&S culture. However, the H&S culture elements of leadership, involvement, procedures, communication, competence and commitment dominate the literature. Research limitations/implications: Literature review was conducted on 15 published peer reviewed journal articles. The validation of the elements found in the study is currently under way although preliminary results confirm the findings. Practical implications: H&S culture has been identified as being of great importance to H&S performance improvement. Identifying culture elements that can easily be implemented and understood will contribute to improving the current H&S status. Originality/value: Adopting the LIP+3C culture model composed of elements that can easily be implemented and understood will contribute to improving the current H&S status
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Critical factors influencing success of infrastructure projects

- Makabate, Choeu T., Wessels, Arie, Musonda, Innocent, Okoro, Chioma S.

  • Authors: Makabate, Choeu T. , Wessels, Arie , Musonda, Innocent , Okoro, Chioma S.
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Critical success factors , Project success
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/${Handle} , uj:29888 , Citation: Makabate, C.T. et al. 2018. Critical factors influencing success of infrastructure projects.
  • Description: Abstract: Infrastructure projects that do not meet organisations' goals and objectives can have a negative impact on organisations, stakeholders and end–users. Studies have been conducted by various researchers to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that influence the successful outcomes of infrastructure projects. The main objective of the study discussed in this paper was to identify critical factors influencing project success. Questionnaires were devised from literature review and administered to construction industry professionals which included project team members, line managers and project managers. Based on the findings, political influence, adequate planning, project manager competence and adequate funding were ranked the highest critical success factors. The research findings are focused to assist industry professionals gain better understanding on key areas based on prioritised success factors in order to improve performance in project delivery.
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Construction health and safety culture in South Africa small and medium enterprises

- Agumba,N.J, Haupt, Theo

Overcoming barriers that hinders the adoption and implementation of building information modelling in the South African construction industry

- Kekana, George, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

  • Authors: Kekana, George , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Building information modelling , Construction industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/72324 , uj:18264 , Citation: Kekana, G., Aigbavboa, C. & Thwala, W. 2015. Overcoming barriers that hinders the adoption and implementation of building information modelling in the South African construction industry.
  • Description: Abstract: Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a concept that has been defined as a technology that digitally constructs an accurate virtual model of a building. BIM can be defined as an IT enabled approach that involves the application and maintenance of a fundamental digital representation of a building and all its information throughout the different stages of the project. This study assesses the ways to overcome the barriers hindering the adoption and implementation of BIM in the South African construction industry. The data used in this paper were derived from primary and secondary sources. The primary data tool (questionnaires), was designed based on the related literature that were reviewed. The questionnaire was distributed to construction professionals in the South Africa construction industry, facility managers, and academics who have are scholars on BIM in the South African construction industry. The questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical procedures. The findings revealed that a lack of skills, education, and knowledge of BIM are the biggest barriers to the adaptation and implementation of BIM in South Africa. Furthermore, the results also show that educational and skill development initiatives are widely considered to being the answer to the existing barriers to BIM adoption. Lastly, the study makes some recommendation on feasible ways of moving away from the common practice of construction process and to the adoption of BIM on construction projects in South Africa.
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Critical factors for the successful implementation of an integrated building information modelling and enterprise resource planning in the South African construction industry

- Mathegu, Mphumi, Aigbavboa, Clinton

  • Authors: Mathegu, Mphumi , Aigbavboa, Clinton
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Building information modelling , Enterprise resource planning , Construction industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/215354 , uj:21410 , Citation: Mathegu, M & Aigbavboa, C. 2016. Critical factors for the successful implementation of an integrated building information modelling and enterprise resource planning in the South African construction industry.
  • Description: Abstract: Over the past many years, the construction industry has demonstrated reluctance to embrace change towards its conventional ways of doing business. With an economic force generated by a technology moving as rapidly as that of the computer, change is inevitable. Hence, there is a need to identify measures that need to be considered for the effective implementation of Building information modelling (BIM) and Enterprise resource planning (ERP), two construction software's that are meant to help with timely delivery of construction projects. Therefore, this paper investigates the critical success factors that should be considered for the successful implementation of an integrated BIM and ERP systems in the South African construction industry. The investigation was done by identifying from literature factors which are considered critical for the successful implementation of these software's. Thereafter, the identified factors were further confirmed through a quantitative survey conducted amongst professionals working in private sector construction firms engaged in projects ranging from building to civil engineering projects in the South African construction industry. Selected findings reveal that the factors regarded as critical for the successful implementation of a BIM and ERP hybrid include a competent implementation team, sufficient support from top management, infrastructure availability, and competent staff training and human resource among others. Although the findings are based on the perceptions of construction professionals in the South African construction -particularly the Gauteng Province, but the findings supports the knowledge regarding the successful implementation of an integrated BIM and ERP system in the South African construction industry.
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Evaluating management commitment to health and safety in small and medium construction enterprises

- Agumba, Justus N., Haupt, Theo.

  • Authors: Agumba, Justus N. , Haupt, Theo.
  • Date: 2009
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Construction health and safety , Small business
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5308 , ISBN 978-0-620-44689-1 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5297
  • Description: Construction health and safety (H&S) in small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) has received little attention in South Africa, in terms of either research or support for preventive initiatives. Previous research suggests that this sector has serious problems exacerbated by limited access to human, economic and technological resources. Moreover it is now recognized that methods developed specifically for large firms cannot necessarily be transferred to smaller and medium firms, hence the need to investigate management commitment to H&S among SMEs.
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Challenges of joint ventures in the construction industry : literature review

- Mba, Marie F. Bekale, Agumba, Justus N.

Review of critical success factors for the implementation of total quality management in the construction industry

- Ansah, S. K., Aigbavboa, C. O., Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

Biomimetic materials and technologies for carbon neutral cities in South Africa: a literature review

- Oguntona, Olusegun Aanuoluwapo, Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis

Theoretical exploration of construction site management practices

- Dube, N, Aigbavboa, C, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

  • Authors: Dube, N , Aigbavboa, C , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2015
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Construction industry - Swaziland - Management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5299 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/15053
  • Description: The construction industry is vital to the existence of other industrial sector and provides the environment under which other sectors operate. It is the largest industry and contributes about 10% of the gross national product (GNP) in industrial-ized countries. It also plays a major role in development and reaching the goals of society. The current study aims to establish the factors required in the manage-ment of good site management on construction sites in Swaziland. The study is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature, published and un-published research. The study is mainly a literature review/survey on site man-agement practices on construction sites. Findings emanating from the study reveal that realistic studies have identified a number of problems on site management practices such as management and administration problems, technical problems and communication problems. It also indicates that site management involves a mixture of activities which turn basic sources to a finished product. The study presents a strong background on site management practices on construction sites in the Swaziland construction industry.
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Challenges of construction procurement : a developing nation's perspective

- Ogunsanya, Oluwabukunmi Ayopo, Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis, Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku

  • Authors: Ogunsanya, Oluwabukunmi Ayopo , Aigbavboa, Clinton Ohis , Thwala, Wellington Didibhuku
  • Date: 2016
  • Subjects: Construction industry
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/213927 , uj:21214 , Citation: Ogunsanya, O.A., Aigbavboa, C.O & Thwala, W.D. 2016. Challenges of construction procurement : a developing nation's perspective.
  • Description: Abstract: Procurement has been identified as the link between a desire by the client for a construction project and the delivery of value products to agreed standards. Thus, it is an arrangement which define contractual processes, funding patterns, risk allocation, work structure and relationship amongst parties on a project. There is sufficient evidence in literature that procurement of public works in developing nations has failed to deliver necessary infrastructure required for economic development of these nations. Particularly in Nigeria, much resources have been committed to the delivery of infrastructure projects but limited benefits have been obtained. This research entails an exploratory qualitative study into the challenges of construction procurement in Nigeria. The study uses an interview of construction industry professionals who were purposively sampled to identify factors mitigating effective construction procurement. Findings from the study show that improper implementation of legislative framework, funding, corruption, hostile operating environment, inadequate knowledge of practitioners of procurement methods and unstable economic environment are factors affecting public procurement in Nigeria. The study concludes that for construction procurement to meet the need of delivering necessary infrastructure for economic development in a nation like Nigeria, intrinsic issues within the national environment have to be handled by relevant stakeholders. Keywords: Construction, Procurement, Developing Nations, Infrastructure, Challenges.
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Prevention of collusion for innovative construction

- Oke, Ayodeji, Aigbavboa, Clinton, Mangena, Zacharia

  • Authors: Oke, Ayodeji , Aigbavboa, Clinton , Mangena, Zacharia
  • Date: 2017
  • Subjects: Construction industry , Corruption , Project performance
  • Language: English
  • Type: Conference proceedings
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/259896 , uj:27354 , Citation: Oke, A., Aigbavboa, C. & Mangena, Z. 2017. Prevention of collusion for innovative construction. Creative Construction Conference 2017, CCC 2017, 19-22 June 2017, Primosten, Croatia.
  • Description: Abstract: Collusion is an unscrupulous and anticompetitive practices among construction stakeholders which has adverse effect not only on the integrity of the parties or people but also on the overall performance of construction projects. In view of this and in order to ensure healthy competition and alliance among construction stakeholders, this study assessed various measures that can be adopted to minimize or eliminate the practice of collusion in the construction industry. The measures were extracted from existing literature materials and questionnaire was adopted as a means of data collection using a 5-point Likert scale. Using convenience sampling, 49 questionnaires were distributed, 43 were retrieved while 41 were found worthy of further analysis. Among other measures, people involved in construction process including the professionals should be encouraged to report any suspicious acts and transactions including collusion practices, and procurement procedures for construction projects should be open and transparent. There is a need to blacklist and deregister professionals and companies that are caught in the act of collusion as this will enhance project performance and subsequently improve the image of the construction industry. Punishments for the offence should be well documented and there should be strict enforcement of the discipline and regulations when a company or individual is found culpable. This study will help regulatory bodies shouldered with the responsibilities of regulating construction activities - including that of the stakeholders - in their quest to reduce or eliminate the practice of collusion in the construction industry.
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