Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate reasons for delays and disruptions in project management, with specific reference to the building and construction industries of the Western Cape. The reason for the study can be posed in the form of a question, "Why, even though the construction and building industry possess the skills of highly competent people do a substantial percentage of projects still experience significant delays and disruptions often leading to financial and program difficulties?" The study can point to certain problem areas in the building and civil industries that might need to be addressed in order to make the industry more manageable and even to get the industry better aligned with the rapid changing business environment. It is not unrealistic to make the statement that a fast developing industry like the Information Technology industry will have a huge influence on the manner in which building and civil projects will be managed in the future. Electronic Networking Technology (ENT) is a new and very powerful tool in the discipline of project management. It is clear from the study that ENT is not widely used in the building and construction industries. The cellphone is probably the piece of electronical equipment that has had the biggest impact on the way projects are managed in the past couple of years. By far the biggest form of communication in a project is orally informal. Already cellphones are being integrated with ENT and this will make managing from site or while on the move even easier. The use of ENT appears to be limited to e-mail messages. ENT is not an accepted project management tool in the industries yet. It will take a good couple of years before this is entrenched, accepted and widely used in construction project management. It is the author's opinion that ENT will be brought into the industries, as the newly qualified construction project managers move upward through the ranks. It is also clear from the study that the role-players in the industry are very aware of a commercial division in the industries. On the one side of the division is the clients and the consultants and on the other side, the main contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. This divide is perceived as an unhealthy divide and all parties would like to see it narrowed or completely removed. Clients, consultants, contractors and suppliers need to work more closely together to remove this commercial division present in the industry. This would require a whole paradigm shift. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie mini-werkstuk is om die redes vir vertragings en versteurings in projekbestuur te ondersoek, met spesifieke verwysing na die konstruksie- en boubedryf in die Wes Kaap. Die rede vir die studie kan in die vorm van 'n vraag gestel word, "Waarom, alhoewel die konstruksie- en boubedryf beskik oor die vaardighede van hoogs bevoegde persone, is daar nog steeds 'n substantiële hoeveelheid vertragings en versteurings in projekte wat dikwels finansiële and tydsverloop probleme tot gevolg het?" Die studie sal poog om sekere probleem areas in die konstruksie- en boubedryf uit te wys, wat indien aangespreek sou word, die konstruksie en boubedryf beter sal sinkroniseer met die snel veranderende besigheids omgewing waarbinne die bedrywe funksioneer. Dit is nie vergesog om die stelling te maak dat 'n vinnig ontwikkelende industrie soos die Informasie Tegnolgie industrie 'n enorme invloed sal hê op die manier waarop konstruksie- en bouprojekte in die toekoms bestuur sal word nie. Elektroniese Netwerk Tegnologie (ENT) is 'n relatief nuwe en kragtige hulpbron in die disipline van projekbestuur. Dit was duidelik vanuit die studie dat ENT nog nie intensief in die konstruksie- en boubedryf gebruik word nie. Die selfoon is waarskynlik die elektroniese apparaat wat die grootste impak op projekbestuur gehad het die afgelope paar jaar. Die oorgrootte meerderheid van kommunikasie in projekbestuur word mondelings informeel gedoen. Selfone word alreeds geintegreer met ENT deur WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) tegnologie. Dit sal projekbestuur vanaf die terrein of op die pad aansienlik vergemaklik. Die gebruik van ENT bleik beperk te wees tot e-pos boodskappe. ENT is hoegenaamd nog nie 'n ten volle benutte hulpbron in die konstruksie- en bou bedryf nie. Dit sal nog 'n hele paar jaar neem voordat ENT 'n behoorlik ingeburgerde hulpbron in die konstruksie en boubedryf is. Dit is die skrywer se opinie dat ENT in die konstruksie en boubedryf ingefaseer sal word soos die nuwe jong konstruksie- en boubedryf projekbestuurders opwaarts deur die bedryf beweeg. Dit is ook duidelik vanuit die studie dat daar 'n duidelike kommersiële skeiding in die konstruksie- en boubedryf teenwoordig is. Aan die een kant van die skeiding het ons die kliënt en die konsultant en aan die ander kant van die skeiding het ons die kontrakteur, sub-kontrakteur, vervaardiger en verskaffer. Die skeiding dra by tot vertragings en versteurings van projekte. Die skeiding word beskou as 'n ongesonde skeiding en daar moet gepoog word om die skeiding te vernou of te verwyder. Kliënte, konsultante, kontrakteurs, vervaardigers en verskaffers moet nouer saamwerk om die skeiding te vernou of te verwyder. 'n Paradigma-skuif in die hele bedryf sal hiervoor nodig wees.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Western Cape Education Department (WCED), through the Department of Public Works (DTPW), launched the Grade R classroom programme in 2009 to increase primary school enrolment in less privileged communities. Due to the low construction contract values the programme has attracted SME contractors. These SMEs have stalled the programme by either not delivering on time or by going insolvent whilst building Grade R classrooms. This research investigated the challenges encountered by SME contractors in delivering Grade R classrooms. The objectives of the research were achieved by means of a questionnaire administered through telephonic interviews and face-to-face interviews. Thirteen contractors have taken part in the programme since 2009. All contractors who have built the classrooms in the Cape Metropole region were contacted for a telephonic interview of which 12 agreed to participate in the telephonic interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to collate and discuss the challenges reported by the contractors. The findings are similar to other studies of SME contractors. SME contractors that took part in the survey confirmed that financial factors, economic and external environment, management skills and expansion and growth factors have been affecting their businesses. The fifth factor, which is the project specific factor, had the most interesting data. Nine out of twelve contractors interviewed indicated that they were not satisfied with the grade R contract working environment. If it was not for scarcity of work, they would not tender for Grade R classrooms. Nine out of twelve contractors interviewed indicated that the DTPW and its agents hindered the successful delivery of Grade R projects through their actions. The main reasons given were the late handover of sites, incomplete construction information, unreasonable construction period, numerous specification changes and delays in processing information. What emerges from the data collected is that the DTPW needs to address the challenges highlighted in this research report. Addressing the challenges will ensure the success of the Grade R programme. This will be beneficial to both the SME contractors and the DTPW. The study also makes recommendations on how to address the challenges.

Thesis (MDF)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The non-availability of funding for low-cost housing is a major stumbling block in the provision of housing for the poor in South Africa (Moss, 2001). Banks and other commercial institutions are generally reluctant to fund construction companies in this industry in view of the high level of risk involved. The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa is a development finance institution that is involved in the financing of construction companies. This study looked at the effectiveness of IDC in financing construction companies that are involved in low cost housing development. The study also looked at whether the IDC's strategiC objectives of promoting job creation had been achieved by providing funding to the construction companies. Only those companies involved in low-cost housing as the only or part of their business activities have been chosen for the study. A qualitative method of research analysiS has been selected as the best way of analysing the research findings in this paper. The empirical analysis indicated that generally the respondents are satisfied with the funding provided by the Industrial Development Corporation, but have serious concerns regarding the turnaround times for credit approvals, completion of legal agreements, disbursement of funds and the fees charged.

M. Tech. Business Administration / Quality management was initially applied as a management philosophy in the manufacturing sector in the 1920s. Following its success, it is increasingly being applied within the services sector also in the management of public buildings. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the quality of building maintenance services within the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs buildings. The study determined the extent of commitment to quality standards by service providers in managing building maintenance services.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Technology in Construction Management Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2014 / Many South African quantity surveying practitioners are not committed to developing knowledge and skills, a factor that may hinder the development and viability of the firm. Owing to this problem, the research focuses on the strategic role of management with an emphasis on the support mechanisms for learning and the development of knowledge. The research population focuses on professional quantity surveying firms in the Western Cape region of South Africa. The aim of the research is to understand and identify key components of management‟s strategic influence on: (a) the organisation‟s culture, (b) the development of knowledge and (c) the development of related services and skills within professional quantity surveying firms. The research methodology consists of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Management members provided qualitative data by participating in interviews and staff members provided quantitative data by completing questionnaires. The data for the research comprised a criterion sample of eleven small- and medium-sized diversified firms. The core elements of the research are the organisational culture, learning, and the development of knowledge and service diversification. The research expands information on management‟s role in the organisation‟s culture and development of knowledge in professional quantity surveying firms. The research found that there are many supportive learning elements within the organisational cultures of most quantity surveying firms. Most management members discuss employee development and performance issues, and the lessons learnt from projects. Management occasionally mentors employees and regularly allows employees to undertake challenging work activities. Management members do not, however, include employees in the development of the firm‟s related services. Management primarily established related services because there was a need for these services. The development and transfer of related service knowledge and skills are restricted to management members to a large degree. Management‟s influence on the development of knowledge and skills of employees is somewhat limited and inconsistent. Organisational culture factors such as job satisfaction and the professional development of staff members have to be given appropriate attention by management, especially from a consistency and formal standpoint. Elements that require reviewing include the time allocated for internal learning activities and learning initiatives, other than on-the-job training. Service diversification factors, such as management members restriction of staff members to core quantity surveying services, also have to be reconsidered. Elements of some related services may improve the quality of core quantity surveying services. KEYWORDS: QUANTITY SURVEYING; PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRM; CULTURE; LEARNING; KNOWLEDGE; SERVICE DIVERSIFICATION

Thesis (MTech(Business Administration))--Cape Technikon, Cape Town, 2004 / The procurement of goods and services in the public sector accounts for a huge portion of domestic spending. An improvement in government procurement has a direct effect on the country's economic performance. Government procurement systems are subject to increasing scrutiny and reform due to domestic and international pressure. Procurement reform is being driven by the principles of democracy and fairness, the opening of the global market, and the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that have been excluded from government procurement. Research has been done on the development of SMMEs in South Africa, highlighting the barriers experienced by these enterprises. As only limited research has been done on the barriers experienced by the sub-category of African black SMMEs, this study focuses on those barriers experienced by African black SMMEs in the construction industry in the Western Cape, with specific emphasis on the Emerging Contractor Development Programme (ECDP) of the National Department of Public Works in Cape Town. The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons why African black contractors cannot find the opportunities that they seek. The opportunities may be available, but the financial capacity of these contractors is limited. The lack of finance or the lack of access to finance causes these contractors not to be able to perform as anticipated. The survey was done among African Black contractors to determine from them what their experiences were with the Emerging Contractor Development Programme. It also focused on the number of opportunities given to them by the National Department of Public Works and the effect of the lack of finances.

The purpose of this study was to evolve how to reduce the manifestation of poor decisions that always produce defects and rework. The purpose of the study is predicated on the fact that good decision-making is a fundamental element of improved project delivery in the construction industry. Such decisions determine the accomplishment of performance parameters in each project. However, suboptimal performance, which is pervasive in the construction industry, is often linked to team decisions. To remedy decision-making pitfalls, the concept of Choosing by Advantages (CBA) is promoted by lean construction researchers. CBA is a decision-making system that assists project parties in deciding a course of action among competing alternatives. Case study research design was used for this project to discover the decision-making process adopted by project teams. The results from the study achieved through cross-case analysis shows that concrete defects and rework is often caused by the project team’s decision-making process, which is influenced by the members of the project team because of lack of experience, poor working conditions, and lack of education. The results also show that the decision-making mechanism of the project teams is influenced by the construction method, specification, cost, quality and time. The outcome of the project team’s decision-making process when choosing a concrete type often causes the concrete defects and rework, which can be eliminated through the application of CBA when choosing a concrete type. The application of CBA when choosing concrete type from two alternatives, ready mixed concrete and site batched concrete is driven by the project team. It was discovered from all three cases that ready-mixed concrete had a better score than site-batched concrete when using CBA to compare these two alternatives. The results show that ready-mixed concrete had less chances of causing concrete defects and rework when used or applied per the correct specifications or methods which are detailed in the engineering drawings of the structure. The study proposes that the project team should adopt CBA to improve their decision-making process on site especially when working with concrete.

The public sector is the biggest consumer of construction works in South Africa. Public sector is known for late payments to its service providers. This led to the study’s problem statement that stipulates that, the construction industry; particularly emerging contractors generally experience late payments from clients and employers. This is due to the fact that emerging contractors are vulnerable to failing as these contractors have limited financial resources and experience. The primary objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the implications of late payments by the government on emerging construction contractors. The study therefore investigated the experiences of emerging construction contractors in the Eastern Cape. The secondary objectives of the study were: to identify the reasons for late payments by the public sector; determine the payment norms applicable to, and expectations of emerging construction contractors; establish construction contractors’ experiences with government payment methods; and to examine the implications of late payment on emerging contractors and their businesses. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm. The participants were identified through non-probability snowball sampling. The sample consisted of five emerging construction contractors mainly from the Civil Engineering and General Building sectors in the Eastern Cape. The data was collected using semi-structured interviewing and was analysed using Tesch’s qualitative analysis explained by Hesse-Biber & Leavy (2011:201). The key results of the empirical study show that late payments have incapacitating effects on the development of emerging contractors. The conclusion reached from the empirical study includes recommendation that construction industry stakeholders form payment legislation aimed at curbing the delay of payments.

Construction delays are a global phenomenon. Factors causing construction delays in construction projects differ from country to country, due to different prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions that could exert an influence on project delivery time are: political, economic, and physical factors as well as level of technological development; management style, and construction techniques. The construction industry is a major player in the economy, generating both employment and wealth. However, many projects experience extensive delays and thereby exceed initial time and cost estimates. This study aims at determining the causes of delays in project delivery in South Africa; evolving interventions, and developing a model for the delivery of projects on time. Inferential and linear regression statistical tools were used in the analysis of data for the study. The sample population consists of architects, builders, quantity surveyors, structural engineers, and clients, and the metropolitan cities of five provinces constituted the geographical delimitation of the study. The provinces are: Eastern Cape; Free State; Gauteng; KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape. The metropolitan cities are: Bloemfontein; Cape Town; Durban; Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth. Findings which negatively influence project delivery time in South Africa include the following: lack of adequate planning; management style; the lack of constructability reviews of designs; inadequate motivation of workers; economic policies; lack of prompt payment to contractors, and quality of management during design and construction. Recommendations include: (1) The introduction of the following courses in built environment tertiary education � quality management competences; operational planning; design management, and generic management; (2) pre-qualification of suppliers; (3) inclusion of the following in tender documentation � human resource schedule; plant and equipment schedule; quality assurance plan, and work schedule; (4) appointment of materials specialists on a large projects; (5) the model developed should be adopted for use in the South African construction industry for the delivery of projects on time, and (6) the linear regression equation: Y = 13.1159 + 1.1341x or 35.3 percent addition on time for the estimation of project delivery time.

Bibliography: pages 84-89. / Proponents of CB claim that the system can provide an effective and efficient framework for a large scale national ABE programme which articulates with national education and vocational training systems. This framework provides a particular kind of answer to the 'literacy for what' question. The emphasis is on development. In this research, this view is contrasted with a version of literacy which gives a different answer to the 'literacy for what' question. Researchers such as Street and Wagner and many of the Non-government organisations affiliated to the National Literacy Co-operative prefer to view literacy as a free standing programme concentrating on individual and local needs. These contrasting positions will be used to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of CB for ABE. While the possibility of using a CB system for the ABE programme in the building industry will be considered, the research will also consider the opportunity of CB beyond the specific needs of the building industry.