Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 3Oluwole Joseph OniNigeria grapples with enormous housing and infrastructure deficit and efforts to bridge the gap have been constrained by the acute shortages of construction workforce. This study addresses the shortages of construction operatives in the Nigerian construction sector. The study area for this research is South Western Nigeria. Questionnaire survey was adopted for this study and simple random sampling techniques were employed. The mean score was employed as a tool for analysis. Findings indicate that there is need for significant improvement with respect to integration, industry participation, funding, recruitment and policy interventions. It was also found that building synergies among key stakeholders and adopting best practices is germane to mitigating the current workforce challenge. The study develops a strategic model to mitigate the current workforce shortages in the sector. The model serves as an enabler towards effective synergies among key stakeholders; reforming key policies; reviewing priorities; reassessing roles; reallocating resources and building stronger collaboration across traditional boundaries to resolve the workforce challenge.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 3Nana Yaa Adusa-Poku, Rogerson AnokyeCompetition among Contractors in the Construction Industry has increased as Ghana sustains her middle-income status. To have a sustained competitive edge, successful industries know that quality management is the key to competing successfully. Recognizing that quality is the key to competition, Total Quality Management (TQM) was introduced in the construction industry in developed countries as a philosophy and a culture to improve productivity and quality. However, developing countries such as Ghana are slow in adopting TQM in the Construction Industry. Therefore, the level of quality in local Ghanaian construction firms is low as compared to international construction firms operating in Ghana. In order to know the quality management practices, questionnaires were administered to project managers, supervisors and construction professionals such as architects and engineers in construction Companies in Kumasi to ascertain their perception of quality and its management practices. The research revealed that the TQM critical success factors rated in order of importance were Process Management, Continuous Improvement, Employees’ Satisfaction/Empowerment, Supplier Chain Management, Customer Focus, Management /Leadership commitment and Training. To enable this implementation of TQM, a framework has been proposed to guide management and this call for a radical cultural change that will transform the construction industry in Ghana.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 3Khaled Abdulnasser Alwaly, Nahg Abdulmajid AlawiAs the project management knowledge guide (PMBOK®) Guide can guide project team throughout the project management process and save it from critical failure. This study aims to evaluate the level of PMBOK® Guide application and also identified factors affecting the application of this guide in construction projects in Yemen. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, questionnaire was developed as a main instrument of the study to collect the primary data. The questionnaire consisted of three main parts: the first part relates to general information and the second part relates to the extent of Implementation of the PMBOK® Guide. This study targeted the engineers of the Social Fund for Development, and 76 questionnaires were distributed to the study sample, and were then subjected to statistical analysis using the statistical program (SPSS). The results of this study showed that the PMBOK® Guide in construction projects in Yemen applied partially and Closing Process Group and Project Quality Management; are ranked highest from Process Group and Knowledge Areas respectively. Qualification is found to be the most significant variable. The study recommended that, there is need for the constructions’ management and projects managers in Yemen to be exposed to PMBOK® guide and how it could be applied in their construction projects.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 2Upendo P. Mbunda, Didas S. Lello, Dennis N. G. A. K. TeshaThe study aimed at assessing the barriers of recognition of informal construction workers through RPL programme towards skills development; specifically, by identifying the stumbling blocks on recognition of informal construction workers in the rules and procedures of RPL programme; examining barriers towards skills development of informal construction workers to be recognized under the RPL programme, and proposing strategies towards improving the recognition of informal construction workers, through RPL programme. This descriptive research strategy used both qualitative and quantitative approach. Its research design based on random sampling techniques and the questionnaire survey. The targeted population sample included 68 randomly selected informal construction workers, drawn from currently enrolled candidates under the RPL programme, and is subdivided into two occupations by stratified sampling techniques i.e. Masonry/Bricklaying (MB) and Carpentry/Joinery (CJ), out of which 46 (68%), responses were obtained. Based on the ranking of factors with Relative Importance Index (RII), the study revealed the general barriers of recognition of informal construction workers, which included; worker’s perception of wastage of time, unstructured cooperation with private sector, poor knowledge of benefits of RPL certificates, lack of RPL awareness, and lack of adequate VETA centres. It concludes that; the awareness of the RPL programme is not well established; qualification standards (class standards) set, do not match the occupational standards (field standards) acquired by workers; complex process; and minimum age requirement being too high. The study recommends that; general awareness and recognition processes should be improved; information about the portfolio evidence for works which are not specified in the module should be clear, and generated to reduce the time and expenses during the enrolment; knowledge about the benefits of RPL certificates should be provided; VETA should help the workers to find a job through a dual apprenticeship program; have national target for number of informal construction workers to access recognition opportunities; contractors should use informal construction workers with RPL certificates; promotion of knowledge management and sharing; and an increase in VETA centres, especially in rural areas, must be done.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 2Brown C. Emmanuel, Dennis N. G. A. K. Tesha, Suma S. MwaitendaThis study aimed at exploring the barriers and motives for entrepreneurship in the building construction industry in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the barriers and identified the motives for adoption of entrepreneurship in the building construction industry. The study also proposed solutions to the barriers of entrepreneurship and their adoption in the building construction industry in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. This descriptive research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with its research design based on survey as well as probability and non-probability sampling techniques. The sample of the study constituted 91 graduate and registered quantity surveyors and architects in the building construction industry within Dar-es-Salaam who were selected as a unit of analysis comprising people with different years of experience. Basically, the responses were obtained through 50 questionnaires with open and close-ended questions. A total of 40 questionnaires were filled appropriately and returned. Quantitative data were coded, classified, and analyzed using SPSS in order to get accurate computations that were ranked by using mean score value. Barriers with mean score above 4.00 encountered by graduate quantity surveyors and architects included lack of startup capital and limited access to credit; lack of mentorship and negative attitudes towards graduate entrepreneurship; lack of trusted business partners/skilled workers or employees; poor marketing and management skills; inadequate information and experience in the industry; institutional complexity (bureaucracy); poor implementation of government policies by officials, and insufficient government supports; and limited financial as well as business management skills. Those encountered by registered quantity surveyors and architects included government policies; tight (fixed) profit margins in markets; high initial cost of work, and risk of failure (the loss of the invested capital); bureaucracy, and corruption; complex nature of construction works; and limited infrastructures. Motives with the mean score above 4.00 included financial freedom, success and resources; strategic business planning and communication skills; strategic decision making skills and leadership skills; risk taking ability; qualification/expertise, and desire for independence and self-governance; inspiration from successful people in the industry and building a legacy; professional development/improving skills and awareness on where to look for support; loss of job or dissatisfaction with previous or current job and the will to try/experiment with business alongside learning from it; competition, ability of survival of the firms owner/person and the ability to start and run businesses; technical skills; and efficient managerial skills. The recommended solutions with mean score above 4.00 barriers of entrepreneurship in building construction industry in Dar-es-Salaam included proper training in work places and education institutions; reducing time and costs to process permits; removal of bureaucracy and eradication of corruption; easy access to loans; seeking help from successful people in the industry; strategic mentorship opportunities; formulation of favorable policies which support self-employment; investment incentives; and improvement of infrastructure.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 2Lawrence Muhwezi, Asuman Kirenzi, Mugume Rodgers BangiCost overruns have remained a major setback in implementation of road construction projects worldwide. In the Ugandan construction industry, some projects have had cost overruns to a tune of 100% and are partly attributed to design flaws. This study identified major design flaws encountered during the construction phase of paved road projects in Uganda and developed a model for predicting their impact on cost overruns. A total of 37 design flaws encountered during construction were identified from literature and a questionnaire survey was conducted to establish the major design flaws based on importance index, by rating the frequency of occurrence of design flaws and their impact on cost. The effect of the five top ranked design flaws on cost overruns was established from sixteen case study projects. A regression model for predicting impact of the design flaws was developed and validated using fresh data from five projects. Results indicated the five top ranked design flaws to be: provision of less number of drainage culverts, inadequate quarries and earthen materials investigations, inadequate geotechnical investigations for road subgrade, under estimation of quantities of rock fill and provision of less volumes of cut and fill. The effect of the major design flaws on cost overrun was established to be 33.3% on average with rock fill having the biggest effect (average of 11.0%) and drainage culverts having the least effect (average of 6.7%). It was concluded that most of the design flaws which greatly affect cost overruns are attributed to non-comprehensive geotechnical and hydrological studies. It was recommended that ample time and budget be allowed for geotechnical and hydrological studies during the design stage.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 1Bezawork Beljige Bitane, Bantayehu Uba UgeUtilizing previous lessons gained from past construction activities shall not be the task limited to project managers alone. Engineers involved in a certain project from the conception to implementation shall be well aware of similar projects performed in the same context. Literature indicates consistent appearance of akin factors causing cost overruns and schedule delays attributed to the complex nature of construction industry even if every project experiences different challenges. The Ethiopian construction industry is just a subset of the broad global engineering projects where stakeholders are required to enhance construction project performance through conceptualized experiential reusable knowledge in a sustainable manner. In the framework of reusable knowledge management, the Ethiopian construction industry is not observed to fully transpire organized lesson learned collection methods and the obtained knowledge sharing approach. Not applying existing knowledge in new or progressing constructions has both time and cost implications. Therefore, systematic way of knowledge flow and experience sharing both at individual and company level has to grow well in order to offer ameliorated guiding principles to manage construction risks without repeating past mistakes. This work by itself will ignite initiation at least towards in-house proper documentation and utilization of prior experiences within construction companies and/or at large to nationwide accessible database (with appropriate security level) of socio-technical interactions among stakeholders.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 1Lawrence Muhwezi, Dicklus Twinamatsiko, Joseph AcaiBuilding failures result into economic and temporal deviations in construction industry. Despite the efforts to improve the quality of construction works through use of advanced technology, increased labor force for professionals in the construction industry, increased availability of construction equipment, there is still low quality work. The purpose of the study was to develop strategies to mitigate building failures in the construction industry in Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design which was carried out in the districts of Greater Bushenyi district in Western Uganda. The study population comprised of 210 respondents: Supervising engineers, Site engineers, Site foremen, Clerk of works and Clients. Causes of building failures were categorized as: consultant related; contractor related, client related and external related factors. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively using SPSS Ver.20 and Microsoft excel. Data were further analyzed using correlation and regression analysis. Findings were presented using frequencies, tables, pie charts and graphs. The findings indicated that Inadequate supervision of works (RII= 0.77); Shortage of equipment and materials (RII=0.76); Cash flow problems (RII=0.67) and Inflation in prices (RII=0.70) were the leading causes of building failure in their respective categories. Based on study findings, it was concluded that there is a great influence of consultant related factors on the causes of building failures more particularly related with inadequate supervision of projects.Factors relating to defects in structures can potentially be avoided if qualified construction professionals are appointed to exercise due diligence and if professional teams are given the opportunity to guide contractors during contract execution.
Abstract: Publication year: 2020Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 9, Number 1Lawrence Muhwezi, Alfred Alexis Abonga, Ruth SengonziThe government of Uganda has put in place plans for road development and maintenance and has improved on its budget allocations in order to boost tourism, agriculture and mining among others. However, road maintenance remains a challenge due to cost deviations, inflation of unit costs by contractors and delays in maintenance interventions. This study examined cost performance improvement of unpaved road maintenance projects in Northern Uganda considering a case of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). The main objective was to develop a model for cost performance improvement in unpaved road maintenance projects. The study was conducted in four UNRA stations in Northern Uganda, namely Arua, Gulu, Kitgum and Moyo Stations which were purposively sampled. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, using survey questionnaires and documentary reviews. Data were analyzed using correlations, regression and descriptive analysis. The findings indicated that the budgets reviewed for wearing course/shoulder and drainage improvements experienced negative cost deviations from original budgets. Material price fluctuations, shortages, late deliveries, equipment availability and failures were key factors found to contribute significantly to cost deviations. The developed model shall be used in accurate estimation of maintenance project costs, hence contributing to road maintenance cost performance improvement.
Abstract: Publication year: 2019Source: International Journal of Construction Engineering and Management , Volume 8, Number 5Bashandy A. A., Etman Z. A., Azier H. Y.Lightweight concrete is an excellent alternative in terms of decreasing the dead load of the structure, while self-compacting concrete eases the pouring and compaction during construction. Combining the advantages of both types is a new field of research. Considering its lightweight structure and ease of placement, lightweight self-compacting concrete may be the answer to the increasing construction requirements of heavily reinforced structural elements. The main variables in this research are lightweight expanded clay aggregate LECA replacement ratio, using superplasticizers. The proposed approach is based on the modified mix design and incorporates the possibilities to realize a LW-SCC in function of two major parameters: density class and compressive strength class. To accomplish this, a total of 12 concrete mixes were used. Tests were performed on concrete specimens to determine the compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength. The unit weight was also measured. These tests provided an understanding of the behaviour of lightweight self-compact concretes under chloride or sulfates attacking. Results indicated that the better strength obtained as using a replacement ratio of 50% with a lower weight by about 30% compared to normal weight self-compacted concrete. Also, it showed that it is possible to manufacturing structural lightweight concrete self-compacting with sufficient durability. Hence it can be used for construction purposes and precast concrete elements with a moderate cost and satisfaction strength.
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