A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Engineering April 2017 / The construction industry in South Africa has an array of challenges. These challenges make it difficult for emerging contractors to establish and maintain successful companies. The purpose of this report is to establish why there are so few successful emerging contractors in the construction industry. In this study, the success of an emerging contracting company was judged by the survival of that company for a minimum period of five years and an improvement in the company’s CIDB grade by at least three levels during its existence. Structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 10 successful emerging contractors in Gauteng. The study found that technical capacity is one of the components of successful emerging contracting companies. It also found that technical capacity, inconsistent work opportunities and financial constraints are challenges that affect contractors when trying to increase their CIDB grade. The successful emerging contractors in the study utilised various strategies to overcome challenges in the industry, however, these strategies were flexible for changing circumstances and new opportunities. / MT 2017

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Building to the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg, 2017 / This study proceeds from the premise that the dissatisfaction of the clients with the outcomes of the construction projects stems from their objectives not being met by the industry. The study aimed at investigating public sector clients’ performance in the South African construction procurement with a view to establishing how their efficiency and effectiveness could be improved during procurement processes. The specific research objectives are to: identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for public sector clients in their procurement process; assess and analyse the weaknesses and strengths associated with public sector clients’ performance in the construction procurement process; develop a methodical approach to the measurement of public sector clients’ performance in their procurement processes; and recommend implementable approaches to improving client performance in the public sector procurement process. A qualitative and quantitative mixed method research design was adopted in carrying out the study. This involved the use of interviews and structured questionnaire survey. Data were collected from National and Provincial Departments of Public Works as public sector client representatives in South Africa. Based on the analysis of the organogram, a total of six functional units involved in the procurement process were identified and targeted for the purpose of data collection. The purposive sampling technique was adopted for the study. These are Heads of Departments, Deputy Directors General responsible for construction projects, Chief financial officers, Heads of supply chain management, Heads of human resources management, and senior project managers. Information collected included issues leading to uncovering of public sector key performance indicators (KPIs) and strengths and weaknesses associated with public sector clients’ performance. Data collected were analysed using content analysis to determine the themes and constructs leading to the identification of public key performance indicators. Further analysis was carried out using mean ranking analysis of factors associated with the strengths and weaknesses associated with public sector clients’ performance. The results of the research show project delivery process as good, not excellent; no detailed template for clarifying project briefs; legislative and administrative procedures lead to time and cost overruns; lack of adequate capabilities within in-house trained professionals and technical expertise to supervise all projects, insufficient in-house professionals to be represented on each project site; lack of mechanism to monitor in-house professionals’ participation on project sites; low participation of end users’ agents due to high incapacitation of User Department organisation; DPW are highly incapacitated because of lack of standard documentations; lack of professional training and short courses to enhance the skills and expertise of technical professionals. Other results show that delayed/late payment to contractors and end user agents due to cash flow challenges; weak or neglect of project monitoring and supervision; disputes between project managers and consultants as a result of quality of work done by contractors; bureaucratic bottlenecks and long decision making processes; design changes and variation due to contingent events, unforeseen circumstances due to weather, earthworks, disasters, changes in User Department briefs and challenges due to administration and political issues. The findings could also be drawn from challenges in descending order of importance from the human resources management units, the financial management units, the supply chain management units, project management units, decision making processes, planning units, design, briefing, documentation and policy issues. The study concluded that 137 public sector key performance indicators are identifiable for assessing public sector client performance in South African procurement. It also concluded that out of several challenges, the human resources, financial management, supply chain management, and project management challenges are the most severe challenges that beset the National and Provincial Department of Public Works, while the documentation and policy issues are less severe. Implementable recommendations were made to specific user departments. The human resources management units in the South African National and Provincial Departments of Public Works should adopt the recommendation suggested in this study to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of professionals during their project delivery process. / XL2018

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Building, 2016 / South African public sector clients use a variety of Total Quality Management (TQM) practice in infrastructure project delivery. However, there is a dearth of information on the impact of TQM on these projects. The three main drivers of public projects delivery are time, cost and quality. In many instances, the quality of the work is lacking and this in return hamper service delivery and consequently cost and time overruns are experienced. Furthermore, The public sector in the South African construction industry is the main employer of consultants, contractors and professionals in the construction fraternity, could lead from the front by bring the culture of quality in the construction industry. The study is investigating the level of TQM adoption in the public sector and is motivated by the limited academic research that has been done locally in TQM with respect to construction industry, especially from the client’s perspective. Internationally there have been extensive studies that were conducted on the subject. In general, there are ten elements of TQM, if practiced, there is an opportunity for positive results which can be attained both in short and long term basis. A questionnaire was used to collect the qualitative data, from public sector engineers and technicians, Consulting engineers and Contractor, which is then analysed using a range of statistical techniques, tables and graphs. In general, TQM concepts are used in the South African public sector infrastructure projects. There public sector should work towards quality management certifications, which will translate into standardised quality process. TQM can only be achieved if there are already process in place. Keywords TQM, Infrastructure projects, Project management, Service delivery Public sector, South Africa / EM2017

Thesis (MTech (Quality)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / Irrespective of the nature of organisations, they all face a certain amount of uncertainty and risk. In order to maintain resilience, competitiveness and performance, organisations must have a system in place to manage the risks associated to their organisations. The challenge is to determine how much risk and uncertainty is acceptable, and how to cost effectively manage the risk and uncertainty while meeting the organisation‟s strategic and operational objectives. For many large organisations, quality or so called „customer perceived quality‟, has become an issue of survival. Furthermore, increased competitiveness is necessary in order to become the obvious choice for the customer. Corporations must have long term goals and Quality Management Systems serve as organised mechanisms to manage quality, effectiveness and competitiveness involving every one at all levels of the organisation. An understanding of culture in organisations can thus offer insight into individual and group behaviour, and leadership. Furthermore, it can help to explain not just „what‟ happens in an organisation, but „why‟ it happens. Companies view culture as something to be influenced to achieve organisational goals of productivity and profitability. Attempts to change the culture of an organization, may meet with varied levels of success. The emphasis on quality building products, have been the focus of the construction industry in South Africa. As a supplier of extruded aluminium profiles to the building industry, Hulamin Extrusions is also faced with typical challenges representative of the industry and as a result, the following aspects would be subjected to research scrutiny: Introduction of a Quality Management System. The challenges of organisational culture. The need for change management. Facilitating the implementation of the system. Continuous Improvement. The researcher anticipates finding ways to improve organisational culture, which in turn would facilitate quality improvement within the organisation.

M. Tech. Business Administration / Knowledge management is considered to be a sustainable way to retain knowledge in an organisation. The overall objective of the study was to analyse and assess the state of knowledge management in South African construction and engineering consulting companies using the variables: knowledge management awareness and commitment; knowledge management maturity; and tools and strategies used in knowledge management.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the past decade the government of South Africa has launched various initiatives to stimulate the economy in general, but more specifically to economically and socially empower previously disadvantaged communities. Initially these initiatives have been very broadly defined, but are increasingly fitting in with the concept of Local Economic Development (LED). The concept of LED is not new; in fact, research has shown that LED initiatives have been successfully implemented in various countries in the world with needs and problems very similar to those of South Africa. This study focuses on the Eden District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa and more specifically on the relation between LED and the construction industry. To answer some relevant questions relating to this topic, a questionnaire has been distributed to the agents of LED in the major municipalities of the district. The survey was divided into four main sections, which dealt with issues relating to both the construction industry and local economic development. The responses in general reflected what could be observed in practice. Due to the current relatively high economic growth in South Africa the regional economies also experience good economic growth. Focusing on the issue of Local Economic Development, it is important to note that the economy of the Eden District is driven by the tourism and public services sectors. Taking the cue from the survey responses, the deduction has therefore been made that the construction industry, consisting of the building and infrastructure subsectors, is driven by the demand for housing and public services. The construction industry was therefore not a driver of economic development, but more a 'secondary' industry, that would benefit from sustainable growth and development in the primary economic sectors. Therefore it is important that managers and agents of local economic development should consider the issue of sustainability when deciding on empowerment and development initiatives. Sustainable development can only be achieved when development initiatives are focused on sectors of the local economy that are the 'primary' industries in the region, and therefore less susceptible to fluctuations in the global and South African economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die laaste 12 jaar het die regering van Suid Afrika verskeie inisiatiewe van stapel gestuur met die doel om die ekonomie te stimuleer, en meer spesifiek om voorheen benadeelde gemeenskappe en individue op maatskaplike en ekonomiese gebied te bemagtig. Aanvanklik was hierdie inisiatiewe slegs breedweg gedefinieer, maar algaande het dit in meer doelgerigte konsepte ontwikkel, waaronder die konsep van Plaaslike Ekonomiese Ontwikkeling (PEO). Hierdie konsep is egter nie nuut nie, en 'n kort literatuurstudie het getoon dat PEO-inisiatiewe reeds met sukses geimplementeer is in verskeie lande met behoeftes en probleme baie soortgelyk aan die van Suid Afrika. Hierdie studie fokus op die Eden Distriksmunisipaliteit in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid Afrika en meer spesifiek op die verband tussen PEG en die konstruksie-industrie. Ten einde sekere relevante vrae te beantwoord, is 'n vraelys aan die verskeie rolspelers in PEG in die groter Munisipaliteite in die distrik gestuur. Die vraelys het uit vier dele bestaan wat elk oor kwessies van beide konstruksie en plaaslike ontwikkeling gehandel het. Die terugvoer van die vraelyste bevestig dat die ekonomiee van die onderskeie provinsies en streke dieselfde positiewe groei ondervind as die landsekonomie in die algemeen. Indien meer spesifiek op die konsep van PEG gefokus word, dan word dit gou duidelik dat die ekonomie van die Eden Distrik hoofsaaklik deur die toerisme- en openbare dienste sektore gedryf word. Hierdie feit, sowel as die antwoorde op die vraelyste, het gelei tot die gevolgtrekking dat die konstruksie-industrie, wat uit die bou- en infrastruktuur subsektore bestaan, hoofsaaklik deur die vraag na behuising en publieke dienste gedryf word. Die konstruksie-industrie is dus nie self 'n drywer van ekonomiese ontwikkeling nie, maar in werklikheid 'n 'sekondere' industrie wat baat vind by volhoubare groei en ontwikkeling in die primere ekonomiese sektore. Dit is dus noodsaaklik dat bestuurders en agente van PEG die konsep van volhoubaarheid deeglik oorweeg wanneer daar oor bemagtigings- en ontwikkelings-inisiatiewe besin word. Volhoubare ontwikkeling kan slegs suksesvol geimplementeer word wanneer ontwikkelingsinisiatiewe op die primere industriee in 'n streek gefokus word wat in die algemeen minder blootgestel is aan die sikliese beweging van die Suid-Afrikaanse en globale ekonomiee.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Expenditure on South African public sector projects is vital to infrastructure development and creating employment opportunities in the country. The submission of tenders by contractors is the traditional procurement method utilised in awarding contracts. The traditional tender procurement method is not only costly, but the lowest-bid method does not ensure that the eventual project at completion is the most cost effective. Although regulatory frameworks are in place to ensure that public sector projects are awarded to suitable contractors, there are numerous examples of public sector projects that have been awarded to incompetent contractors. The traditional tender procurement method is non-collaborative in its composition, as the contractors executing the work are not part of the design team. Furthermore, industry stakeholders’ perceptions influence procurement method preferences. This research project investigates whether the tender procurement method is best suited to meet the South African public sector’s requirements and achieve infrastructural development so desperately required, or whether it needs to be replaced in its entirety or adapted.

M.Ing. (Engineering Management) / Construction project success is the number one goal for every client, stakeholders and for project team members who are involved with construction projects. However, construction projects often exceed the stipulated budget, are completed beyond the scheduled period and are not even to the required quality. Despite its poor record, the construction industry contributes a lot to the country’s economy and as such, it should be ensured that it performs better than it has currently. Besides the technical issues/factors which are a norm for influencing construction project performance, recent studies have shown that other factors relating to people and how they interact in teams may in fact have a significant influence on project performance. Consequently, culture and cultural differences seem to be one of the important issues that need to be dealt with and managed properly if projects are to be successful; given the nature of contracting, where joint ventures and partnerships seem to be prevalent (Kivrak et.al, 2009). Therefore, the purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of cultural differences on construction project performance. Because culture is seen as a ‘soft’ issue, it makes it hard to be measured empirically (Ankrah, 2007), and therefore requires to be assessed through the perceptions of the individuals who operate within that particular culture (Palmer, Cooper and Burns, 2010). Five dimensions of culture, namely: age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational background and organisational culture background were investigated and chosen to be measured against the three traditional project outcomes, namely: time, cost and quality, while taking into account safety and productivity. A questionnaire was issued to 310 participants drawn from construction projects across South Africa, and 109 responses were received, giving a response rate of 35.16%. The study reviewed that the construction industry’s performance is poor and it can also be attributed to differences in individuals’ cultural background because culture affects one’s mind in terms of behaviour and decision making. Findings from the study showed that a relationship existed between culture and project performance, and that cultural differences had an impact on construction project performance.

M.Tech. (Construction Management) / The construction industry is an important sector in the development and economic progression of South Africa. Moreover, projects in the South African construction industry involve different individuals and organizations that collaborate to achieve a specific task at a specific time. Hence, leadership is essential in any construction organization to achieve organizational goals and to promote individual professional achievement in the industry. This study evaluates different leadership style practices of construction and project managers in the South African construction industry. The study further investigates leadership development approaches in the industry. The data used in this research were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data were collected via a detailed review of related literature. The primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire aimed at 150 construction and project managers in the South African construction industry. The study revealed that project and construction managers in the South African construction industry prefer transformational leadership, followed by transactional and democratic leadership. It was also revealed that communication skills, vision, honesty and reliability are some of the important traits of a project leader. This study also suggests ways in which leaders can be developed in the construction industry. Formal leadership training, mentoring and personal development are highlighted as some of the ways in which construction leaders can be developed in the construction industry. It is therefore recommended that construction organizations in South Africa should invest more than they are currently doing in leadership development programs, so that future project and construction managers can be developed to be effective leaders in the industry. The current study contributes to the body of knowledge on the subject of leadership in the construction industry. The value of the study is to facilitate and understand the different leadership style practices in the construction industry and to determine the relationship between leadership styles and project success. This research also provides new information on how to improve leadership in the South African construction industry.

A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters degree of Master of Science in Building in the School of Construction Economics and Management, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Witwatersrand. / Informal social networks among the construction craftworkers from various ethnic groups create barriers of entry to crafts men entering the Constuction Industry in the Western Cape, South Africa. This study aimed to investigage how informal social networks found in three construction sites in an ethnically diverse area, can bring economic exclusions and promote inequality in terms of accessibility to social economic resources. Data was collected using Social Network Analysis (SNA) method, through the egocentric approach. Data analysis was done with the use of the social network analysis program UCINET. Findings from the three case studies showed that the accessibility of job information is through the informal social networks formed among the construction artisans, foremen including construction managers. Moreover, artisans from these sites were mostly friends and neighbours of the same race which suggests that their social relations facilitated the transfer of information concerning job opportunities. These kinds of relations transmit limited information. As much as the informal social networks can be advantageous, they create barriers of entry to those who are not part of these networks or barriers to skills acquisition to those who do not possess craft skills. These exclude those who do not belong to these advantageous networks. Further findings showed that a particular trade was dominated by a particular race. Also, minimal interaction was observed among different races suggesting a hindrance of transfer of information about job opportunites across ethnic groups. It is recommended that the artisans need to interact with others from different races as to broaden their networks and also to have multiplex networks. The government also needs to implement new policies which can enable people to have equality in the accessbility of social resources and economic opportunities.