Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a prioritisation framework that can guide the provision and management of on-campus student housing facility (SHF) services of southern Ghana Universities. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopted a phenomenological research strategy. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions (FGDs); a total of ten FGDs were conducted. Observations were also done during the site visit to augment the FGDs. The data were analysed thematically. Findings The study found that some services are perceived as “extremely important” and “basic” while others are seen as “unimportant” and “indifferent”. Services including; electricity, water, security, internet, cleaning service, maintenance service, generator, ventilation (fan), health service, library service, electric socket, study furniture, refuse collection, pest control and fire extinguisher were perceived by students as “extremely important”. However, not all of these services were perceived as “basic” requirements. Practical implications The framework can be used as a guide by facility and hostel managers to effectively prioritise and manage the services required in a university SHF. Moreover, when designing, constructing and adapting student housing facilities, the framework can be used as a guide to ensure that all critical services are provided in the student housing facilities. Originality/value Although several studies have been conducted on student housing, studies that specifically focuses on the services required in a SHF and the prioritisation of such services is lacking. This study combines students’ requirements, importance levels of requirements, and classification of requirements to develop a prioritisation system for student housing services.
The construction industry plays a central role in the creation of any nation's wealth. For developing economies, it forms the backbone of most industries. However, cost escalation, schedule overruns and quality shortfalls on construction projects often offset the intended contribution of the industry to the economy. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to highlight major causes of cost escalation, schedule overruns and quality shortfalls in the context of the Zambian construction industry. Using a questionnaire survey, the results of the study confirmed the prevalence of cost escalation, schedule delays and quality shortfalls on construction projects in Zambia. Clients, consultants, contractors and financiers identified 'insufficient initial analysis of costs' and 'change orders' as the most frequent and severe factors that caused cost escalation. 'Change order changes' and 'financial difficulties on the part of the contractors' were ranked as the most frequent and severe causes of schedule overruns. On the other hand, 'poor financial management' was established to be the most common and severe factor that caused quality shortfalls on construction projects. Appropriate project management practices and training have been recommended for construction projects to be executed successfully, especially in developing economies like Zambia.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the nature and extent of the current practice of logistics in the construction industry and to investigate the utility of reverse logistics in a construction context.Design/methodology/approachA pilot study was utilised to devise a method for the identification and measurement of parameters for incorporation within a process of construction site logistics optimisation. Data on vehicular movements were collected from seven sites in Cape Town. The data were used to design a flow model of material delivery and waste removal vehicular movements.FindingsThe results showed that in terms of transport distribution, of all vehicle movements observed, 62.6 per cent were classified as material delivery and 26.3 per cent as construction and demolition (C&D) waste removal. This ratio approximates to 2.4 materials delivery journeys to one waste removal journey. An optimised integrated materials delivery and waste removal logistics model is presented.Practical implicationsThe research has highlighted the potential for integration of building materials and C&D waste logistics. Based on the ratio of 2.4:1, up to 26.3 per cent of vehicular movements transiting sites could be eliminated by allowing material delivery vehicles to back‐haul waste to points of disposal, reuse or reclamation.Originality/valueThe potential use of “reverse logistics” in a construction context is demonstrated, as is the scope for the utilisation of spare capacity through the application of the reverse logistics concept and the possible reduction in unit costs and numbers of empty vehicular movements.
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