Infrastructure delivery processes possess the potential to negatively influence sustainability. To curb the incidence of these processes within infrastructure delivery systems, the enthronement of an effective project management and governance framework becomes imperative. This led to the emergence of literature on sustainable project management practice. However, studies seeking to modify existing project governance structures in like manner remain limited. This study contributes to this emerging discourse on the utility of project governance competencies in facilitating sustainable infrastructure delivery. To achieve this objective, this study identifies critical success factors central to the design of effective sustainability governance structures of a typical infrastructure delivery (ID) system with the assistance of a cybernetic system framework—the viable infrastructure delivery systems model (VIDM). Adopting a qualitative multi-case study research design, this study deploys semi-structured interviews for data elicitation through purposively sampled interviewees within the identified cases and a document review. Qualitative content analysis (QCA) was deployed for data analysis. Findings from this study provide success factors for designing effective sustainability governance structures for ID systems. It is expected that the findings from this study will contribute to the emerging discourse concerning sustainability governance of ID systems.
The prevalence of cost overruns in public sector construction projects in South Africa has been observed. This has been attributed to ineffectual approaches to cost management within these projects. The prior study by the authors has made sense of these observations an understanding of existing cost management approaches. Accordingly, this study seeks to identify Lean opportunities from existing cost management practices. Such opportunities will enable identification of effective cost management during project delivery. Adopting a qualitative case study research design, the study relies on data obtained from a purposively selected list of interviewees from a cadre of cases, i.e., recently completed public sector construction projects in South Africa. These interviews will be juxtaposed with evidence from project-related documents. Based on the data, the study will provide a vignette of lean-led cost management frameworks applied to these projects. Encompassing various stages of the project delivery lifecycle, this vignette will enable an identification lean lead cost management on these projects. Subsequently, the vignette will be validated by interviewees. The expectation is that findings from this study will provide a brief picture of cost management frameworks and enable the introduction of probable lean-based solutions to reverse this unbecoming trend.
Alcohol and drugs are used in construction, especially by workers. The risk profile of alcohol and drugs on project sites varies, from catastrophic incidents resulting in great injury and or loss of lives to minor incidents. This paper is based on a study conducted to explore the effects of substance abuse among construction site workers in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A qualitative research method was utilized to obtain information concerning the issues, which engender substance abuse by construction workers. The study reveals that many construction workers use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for financial strains. In addition, these challenges also affect the families of the workers and then, create an enabling environment for 'vicious cycle'. The findings highlight the need to eradicate substance abuse in the sector through its associated socioeconomic impact on construction workers and the society.
This study evaluated the factors influencing environmental sustainability (ES) performance of construction projects from the perspective of construction industry professionals working in the Free State province in South Africa. Using a quantitative research approach, questionnaires were administered to a sample of purposively selected respondents (N 5 165) of construction professionals working on designated construction sites. A total of 101 questionnaires were returned and analyzed to ascertain drivers for improved ES performance, strategies for improving ES performance, and the degree of prioritization of the implementation of these strategies within projects. Results indicated a considerably high level of awareness of ES among respondents. Also, client requirements and compliance with ES-related policies were identified as critical drivers of improved ES performance, and the use of sustainable construction methods proved to be the most salient strategy for improving ES performance. However, the implementation of identified strategies for ES performance improvement was not shown to be a priority, pointing to a need for more client-driven implementation as a pivot for improved ES performance on construction projects. This study has important implications for construction stakeholders seeking to improve ES performance in the South African construction industry.
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