The study relates to road management in Nigeria, on one (land locked) state out of the 36 that comprise the country. The state (Sokoto) has a population of over four million people, and the acute shortage of road connections to the majority of its rural inhabitants necessitated the research. The practice of road management in Sokoto is broadly representative of other Nigerian States. Sokoto like all the northern states, is distant from the coast, and its main asset is an abundant supply of cheap labour. Roads provide the principal mode of access, and are a key factor to trade, industry and social development. An intensive literature review was carried out to determine the existing state of knowledge on the problems encountered by practitioners in the field. The review (desk study) occupied the first stage of the research. It rapidly became clear that the topic is seriously under-researched, both internationally and specifically in the study area. The review has also drawn upon a variety of published and unpublished sources, drawing upon the limited amount of quantified and rigorous data that is available, but also assessing the more substantial quantity of partially quantified or impressionistic information to be found in project reports and case studies. For research to be successful, observable indicators must be found for at least some of the abstract concepts used in the theory. In this regard, six months field work (data collection) was carried out in Nigeria as the study's second stage. This translates the research hypothesis into an operational hypothesis. The third stage of the research covers the analysis and validation of data. This includes an interpretation, which serves as a bridge between the theoretical and practical data. The thesis describes how the empirical data has been used in analysis, to spell out parameters that affect rural road management in Nigeria as in many Sub-Saharan Africa. The research revealed the inappropriate use of technology to be the major factor hindering performance. The study suggests some workable operating methods as possible alternatives that can simplify the difficulties of road maintenance under different operating conditions.

Den svenska anläggningsmarknaden är under förändring. I ett initiativ att utveckla och effektivisera branschen har de statliga beställarna, med Trafikverket i täten, satsat på att renodla beställarrollen. En stor del av denna satsning bygger på att öka andelen projekt som upphandlas som totalentreprenader. Detta ger dock inte bara förändringar för beställarna, utan även entreprenörer och resten av marknaden måste anpassa sig efter de nya förutsättningarna. Syftet med examensarbetet är därför att undersöka hur förändringen av anläggningsmarknaden mot fler totalentreprenader påverkar entreprenörers förutsättningar att driva framgångsrika projekt, samt hur de bör anpassa sina projektorganisationer för att uppnå detta. För att svara på detta övergripande syfte behandlar arbetet följande forskningsfrågor: Hur påverkas entreprenörens möjlighet till framgångsrika och lönsamma projekt i totalentreprenader? Hur påverkar övriga delar av upphandlingsstrategin entreprenören då den är totalentreprenör? Hur ska entreprenörer anpassa sina projektorganisationer, avseende kompetens och roller, för att möta den förändrade rollen gentemot beställaren? Examensarbetet är skrivet hos Skanska Sverige AB, region Väg och anläggning Stockholm. Metoden är uppdelad i tre studier. Den första är en litteraturstudie på tidigare forskning, med fokus på vetenskapliga artiklar. Den andra är en kvantitativ studie på lönsamhetsdata från tidigare projekt, erhållen från Skanska. Denna studie omfattar dels en jämförelse mellan utförande­entreprenad och totalentreprenad, dels en analys av övriga delar i upphandlingsstrategin. Den tredje är en intervjustudie med personer som har haft olika roller i totalentreprenader. Resultatet visar på att entreprenörer som är medvetna om den skillnad totalentreprenader medför, samt är väl förberedda för dem, har goda chanser att uppnå framgångsrika och lönsamma projekt. Det är också viktigt för entreprenören att vara medveten om alla förutsättningar i entreprenaden, inte bara entreprenadform. Utvecklingen går mot entreprenader med högre grad av samverkan än tidigare. Detta medför att entreprenören både måste vara samarbetsinriktad samt välja beställare, konsulter och underentreprenörer som är detsamma. Entreprenörens ökade osäkerheter och risker i totalentreprenader medför ökade krav på dess kompetens och organisationsstruktur. En viktig del är att tillsätta en projekteringsledning som klarar av att leda projekteringen så att rätt handlingar tas fram. Därutöver tillkommer även en rad ytterligare kritiska faktorer, så som en tydlig riskfördelning, tidigt upprättad riskanalys, kunskaper i ABT och kontraktsfrågor, tydlig ansvarsfördelning samt tilldelning av nyckelroller så tidigt som möjligt. Ökningen av anbudsutvärderingar på mjuka parametrar, främst på totalentreprenörens projektorganisation, visar på att även beställarna värderar vikten av totalentreprenörens kompetens högt. / The Swedish infrastructure and construction market is changing. To develop and improve the efficiency of the industry, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) have made an initiative to change their role towards more of a professional client. A large part of this initiative is based on increasing the percentage of projects procured as design-build projects. This will, however, not only lead to changes for the clients, but also contractors and the rest of the market must adapt to the new conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the change of the infrastructure and construction market towards more design-build projects affects contractors’ possibilities for successful projects, and how they should adapt their organizations to achieve this. To answer this general objective, the thesis is based on the following research questions: How are the contractor’s possibilities for achieving successful and profitable projects affected in design-build projects? How does the rest of the client’s procurement strategy affect the design-build contractor? How should contractors adapt their project organizations, in terms of expertise and roles, to meet the changing role towards the client? This thesis is written at Skanska in Stockholm, Sweden. The method comprises three studies. The first is a literature review of previous research, with a focus on scientific articles. The second is a quantitative study on profitability data from previous projects, obtained from Skanska. This study includes both a comparison between design-bid-build and design-build projects, and an analysis of other parts in the client’s procurement strategy. The third is an interview with people who have had different roles in design-build projects. The results indicate that contractors who are aware of the difference design-build projects entails, and are well prepared for them, have good chances to achieve successful and profitable projects. It is also important for the contractor to be aware of all parts in the contract, not just the project delivery system. The trend is toward a higher degree of client–contractor collaboration. This indicates that the contractors, clients, consultants and subcontractors must be able to be cooperative. The contractor’s increased uncertainties and risks in design-build projects entail increased demands on its expertise and organizational structure. An important part is to appoint a design manager capable of managing the design so that the right documents and drawings are produced. In addition, other critical factors are a clear allocation of risks, an early established risk analysis, knowledge in contract issues, a clear division of responsibilities and to assign key roles as early as possible. The increased usage of soft parameters in tender evaluations, mainly on the contractor’s organization, show that the clients value the contractor’s competences highly.

The European Union (EU), in 1992, issued the Temporary or Mobile Construction Sites (TMCS) Directive, which requires EU members to introduce specific law to improve health and safety (H&S) performance outcomes by placing specific duties on key stakeholders. This Directive led to the introduction of the first Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations in the UK construction industry on 31 March 1995 and since their introduction, the overall performance of construction H&S has improved gradually. However, despite this positive outlook, there are still significant concerns surrounding the implementation of the CDM Regulations, a subject on which empirical research has been very scanty. It is against such a background that this study investigates the practical implementation of the CDM Regulations and extends current knowledge and understanding, and develops a framework for appropriate remedial action by industry. The research method involved a thorough critical review of literature, semi-structured interviews, and two postal questionnaire surveys, using as research informants, practitioners with experience of the Designer, CDM Coordinator (CDM-C), and Principal Contractor (PC) roles under the CDM Regulations. Primary data were collected and analysed from in-depth interviews with six organisations purposively selected based on their construction design expertise and 122 questionnaires returned in total. The finding regarding lack of collaborative working amongst duty holders is a significant outcome of this study; a requirement expressed explicitly within the CDM Regulations, yet questionable in terms of its implementation. Further, the study reveals a number of statistically significant correlations between the extent of discharge of duties and their perceived degree of importance. However, the strength of the majority of these correlations is weak. In particular, the evidence indicates that 50% of the duties of the CDM-C are misaligned in terms of extent of discharge and perceived degree of importance, whereas 25% of the PC duties are also misaligned. This signals a lack of understanding regarding the importance of duties, towards achieving improved H&S management. Surprisingly, a comparison between extent of discharge of duties and their perceived degree of difficulty reveals that all the duties of the PC are statistically significant, meaning that the perceived degree of difficulty does not impede their extent of discharge. While 90% of the CDM-C duties are also statistically significant, again the same interpretation applies. Further, a consensus reached by Designers supports the view that CDM-Cs provide insufficient input throughout the planning and construction phase, raising doubt as to whether the duty holder is fit for purpose. Overall, the results confirm that interdependent working of duty holders is still a challenge, demonstrated by the Designer duty to ensure appointment of the CDM-C (Regulation 18(1)), the CDM-C duty to ensure Designers comply with their duties (Regulation 20(2)(c)), and the PC duty to liaise with the CDM-C and Designer (Regulation 22(1)(b)). Three recurring themes emerge from the results, that is: (i) collaboration, (ii) accountability and compliance, and (iii) facilitation, which in turn inform the remedial action framework comprising 13 remedial actions and 8 change drivers. Validation of the remedial action framework by 15 study participants reveals that, at least 10 remedial actions and 7 change drivers are considered likely to improve CDM implementation. The top three remedial actions are: (i) ensuring adequate arrangements for coordination of H&S measures; (ii) including provisions within the regulations specifying the stages for the appointment of duty holders; and (iii) amending the ACoP to provide guidance on determining what resources are adequate for a particular project. Whereas, the top three change drivers are: (i) management leadership; (ii) the proactive participation of duty holders; and (iii) training to equip duty holders with sufficient knowledge on provision of timely and adequate preconstruction information. Based on these outcomes, conclusions, recommendations, and further areas of research are drawn.

71 Abstract Thesis, as the title suggests, is focused mainly on the liability of a contractor resulting from contracts for work concluded by parties in order to execute large industrial works. Capital construction is economically significant branch of industry both from national and international perspective. Czech law regulates capital construction, as far as private law is concerned, mainly by Commercial Code in it's articles dedicated to general regulation of contract for work. Capital construction requires sufficiently detailed contractual arrangements of mutual rights and obligations. Detailed arrangements concluded by parties are necessary due to the complexity, technical, technological, time, material, financial and personal demandingness of the subject matter of work along with long-term character of mutual relations and high risk of amendment of legislation. Thesis deals with usual arrangements of contracts concluded by parties in practice related to the liability of a contractor in capital construction. Besides the thesis displays the amount of risk the contractors bear and the scope of their liability in case of breach of the contracted obligations. The most important terms used in practice are described in the introduction of the thesis. These terms originate from formerly valid Economic Code,...

Haulage contractors are companies that are responsible for delivery of goods with use of trucks and vans. Previous research focus more on the haulage contractor industry in general. This study focuses on what challenges the haulage contractor industry is facing from the view of managers working in local area distribution in Sweden. We also examine what key tools and solutions are used to meet the challenges the industry is facing and what are the reasoning behind these actions.   We propose two research questions. The first question is what challenges the Swedish haulage contractor industry is facing. The second examines what strategies and tools are used by management to adapt to changes in the industry. The study is based on 5 interviews with management in haulage contractor firms and 2 interviews with representatives from industry organizations, for a total of 7 interviews. The interviews were qualitative and performed over phone and face-to-face. By analyzing interviews using thematic analysis we find that the ownership, age and size of a firm impact how it adapts to changes. The adaptation is among others in terms of investments in technologies and collaboration. Another finding is that the industry representatives perceive that customers and legislators do not understand the crucial role the haulage contractor industry plays in the economy which has its negative impacts on the industry.

Thesis (Master of Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019. / This study evaluates both the Contractor Development Programme (CDP) mentorship programme and the emerging contractors’ personal limitations in achieving a successful programme implementation. The objectives of the study were as follows: (i) to ascertain whether the perception of limitations of the mentorship programme differs in accordance with contractor’s profile; (ii) to ascertain whether there is any statistically significant difference between the profiles of contractors with regard to the perception on mentorship programme limitations; (iii) to ascertain whether the perception of limitations of the contractors’ personal limitations differs in accordance with contractor’s profile; (iv) to ascertain whether there is any statistically significant difference between the profiles of emerging contractors with regard to the perception on personal limitations. The study adopted a quantitative research method which was preceded by an exploratory study. The study targeted emerging contractors in the Western Cape. The exploratory study was undertaken at the initial stage of the study to gain more insight in terms of the impact of limited contracting opportunities for emerging contractors on the Western Cape CDP mentorship programme. The data was collected by means of conducting semi-structured interviews to purposely selected emerging contractors, and was subsequently transcribed and analysed using content analysis. With regard to the main study, the questionnaire survey with closed-ended questions was distributed to the population of 16 emerging contractors with CIDB grade 3 and 5. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the main study. The study has uncovered a number of gaps in terms of the implementation processes of CDP mentorship programme. In regard to the mentorship programme limitations: The findings have revealed the use of ineffective recruitment and selection methods, the lack of training projects for contractors to tender, the lack of MOUs between the banks and the Western Cape CDP to ease access to credit, the lack of continuity in terms of mentoring services, the failure to evaluate contractors when they enter the mentorship programme, failure to monitor contractors’ development during mentorship, the failure to evaluate contractors when they exit the mentorship programme. In regard to the emerging contractors’ personal limitations: The findings have discovered the lack of tendering skills among contractors, lack of skills in interpreting construction drawings, the lack of planning for construction projects, the lack of estimation, and the lack of negotiation skills with material and plant suppliers. The research concludes by recommending that the Department of Transport and Public Works should review the entire mentorship programme. This will be achieved by appointing a business development practitioner to re-design and re-structure the entire mentorship programme so that it can be able to attract and select suitable contractors while meeting the governments’ objective of developing and promoting of emerging contractors in the construction industry.

The Governments' promotion and support of Best Value within the Social Housing Sector has been a prime catalyst in the move by Registered Social Landlord's [RSL's] away from the traditional culture of acceptance of the lowest bid towards consideration of both price and quality criteria as a basis for contractor selection. Manifestly this radical change in the way the sector procures its construction services has forced many of its stakeholders to undergo significant cultural and organisational changes within a relatively short period of time, and problems have developed during this transitional period that have affected the efficiency of the best value process. This research traced the root causes of these problems and its overarching aim was to develop an approach which will enable RSL's and their stakeholders to streamline the best value tender analysis procedure thereby allowing tenders to be dealt with effectively and efficiently whilst also creating a transparent and auditable decision making process. The approach has been established using a mixed methods research methodology utilising; case studies, surveys, rational decision analysis and system evaluation. The main output of the research is the development of a support tool known by the acronym OVID-BV which aids the multi objective decision making process. The underlying rationale for the support tool is based on the innovative use of uncertainty in decision making and the functionality of the tool uses a combination of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), multi attribute utility theory (MAUT) and whole life costing (WLC).

The construction industry is facing ever more challenging targets to reduce the environmental impact of new-build and refurbishment projects. The construction industry has failed to adopt renewable energy technologies (RETs) into mainstream construction projects; however, this aspect of the construction challenge needs addressing by large contractors. This thesis has established that there is a need to educate contractor personnel in the application and integration of RETs into construction projects to ensure that the construction industry can preserve its legacy for future generations. In order to improve the construction industry s use of renewable energy in building projects, it was necessary to reassess how the industry viewed energy. Contracting organisations have a diverse workforce, a fact established through a company-based desk study, workshops, interviews and surveys; this guided the direction of the project to satisfy the aims and objectives. The initial research findings enabled development of a strategy to improve RET knowledge within a UK contracting organisation. This research has developed trialled and tested a training programme aimed at educating construction professionals on the application of RETs that are relevant to new-build construction projects, and at improving knowledge sharing within a contracting organisation. Training material has been developed that includes six RET handbooks, a sustainability workshop incorporating RETs, an e-learning suite of online modules designed to suit a range of construction disciplines from designers to site-based staff. In addition, the research improved business practice through supporting knowledge share across all business units in addition to identifying the benefits of post-occupancy evaluation. The research has impacted the sponsoring organisation on several business elements including creation of a new business unit to assess completed projects in order to inform design and construction on future projects leading towards improved knowledge management on RETs. The e-learning component uses a combination of graphical imagery, audio voice-overs, knowledge-checks and assessment gathered from active construction projects to enable employees to engage in knowledge and experience sharing on a project-by-project basis, and organisational learning through case studies and post-occupancy evaluation of completed projects. Feedback received from the pilot study of the training materials has been encouraging and positive. While further research is required to measure the long-term effect of the initiative on the workforce population, a six month review suggested that a refresher course is required bi-annually to ensure the workforce score consistent results in the assessment and to update the training with new project experience to share within the organisation. The wider impact on the industry is to showcase the potential learning benefits of post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to contractors and the industry as a whole. The research has highlighted typical industry practice within a contracting organisations regarding knowledge sharing within the company and has demonstrated the improvement on employee knowledge after introduction of a training initiative utilising POE (typically a consultant tool) during the construction phase to prevent re-inventing the wheel . Through regularly and collectively sharing information and project experience, it is envisaged that the full range of contractor disciplines will have increased interaction to ensure all perspectives are accommodated during the design, construction and facility management phases of a building s life cycle.

<p>This thesis explores the fields of contracting and competence agencies. Itfocuses on the relationship between contractors and their agencies, and aims toidentify the expectations that contractors have on competence agencies and theactivities that can be undertaken by the agencies in order to improve andstrengthen the relation. A case study was made of a Danish competence agencyand of the contractors within its network. The qualitative part of the studyincluded interviews with five contractors and a questionnaire directed to theorganization. From the conclusions of the qualitative study and relevant theories,a set of hypotheses were formulated. The quantitative part consisted of a surveythat was sent out to the contractors in the network. The survey aimed to test thehypotheses and the results from the survey were analysed in Excel.The conclusions that were drawn from the outcome of the quantitative studywere that contractors join agencies because of the access to big companies thatare granted by agencies, because they do not have time to promote themselvesso they need someone to do it for them and because of the possibility to createnetworks and that contractors join more than one agency because they do notbelieve that one agency alone can supply them with full time occupation.Further on, it was also concluded that certain HRM as well as SHRM activitieshad a positive impact on the relationship, and that employer brandingstrengthened the bonds between the contractors and the competence agency.</p>

<p>Problem: On the basis of the franchisees role and how he look up on his role in his business, should one like the Swedish Law applies characterize the franchisees role as the role of a contractor?</p><p>Purpose: The purpose with this research is too survey the franchisee in his business and how he looks upon his role as a franchisee and see if this like the Swedish Law states be characterized as the role of a contractor.</p><p>Methodology: By doing a proportional stratified selection within the the Swedish Franchising community, nine semi structured interviews has been made. The empirical foundation of these interviews has been concentrated and analysed with the support of the chosen theories. The result of the analysis has created the conclusion.</p><p>Theoretical perspectives: The research is built up of three angels of approach; the role, the business and the economy within the franchisee and the contractor. The three approaches aim too illustrate the role of the franchisee, the franchisees role in the business and the economical effects in franchising. The approaches that are being used is not theories but models of standards.</p><p>Empirical foundation: The empirical foundation of the study is consisting of the answers of the nine franchisees. They have been contracted to Gallerix, MakeUpStore, SpecsaversBlic, Subway och 7 – Eleven.</p><p>Analysis / Result:</p><p>The study lead to an extension of the chosen theories. Similarities and differences has been identified and analysed. These are the base and the ground for the conclusion.</p><p>Conclusion: The franchisee should not be named contractor like the Swedish Law applies with the focus on the role, business and economy.</p> / <p>Problem: Utifrån franchisetagares roll och hur denne ser på sin roll i sin affärsverksamhet, bör man som i juridisk aspekt karaktärisera franchisetagarens roll som den av en egenföretagares eller är denna roll av annan karaktär?</p><p>Syfte: Syftet med studien är att kartlägga franchisetagaren i sin affärsverksamhet samt hur de själva ser på sin roll och om denna roll kan likt juridiska aspekter karaktäriseras som egenföretagare.</p><p>Metod: Genom ett proportionellt stratifierat urval via Svenska Franchiseföreningen har det genomförts nio stycken semistrukturerade intervjuer. Den framkomna empirin har sedan sammanställts och analyserats med stöd av den valda teorin. Resultatet av analysen har slutligen mynnat ut i slutsatsen för studien.</p><p>Teori: Undersökningen är uppbyggd kring tre infallsvinklar som ser till rollen, verksamheten och ekonomin hos franchisetagaren och egenföretagaren. De tre infallsvinklarna belyser rollen franchisetagare, franchisetagarens roll i verksamheten och den ekonomiska effekten kring franchise. De infallsvinklar som används är inga teorier utan modeller för vardera område.</p><p>Empiri: Studiens empiri är en sammanställning från de nio intervjuer som genomförts, de intervjuade har varit franchisetagare till Gallerix, MakeUpStore, SpecsaversBlic, Subway och 7 – Eleven.</p><p>Analys/Resultat: Studien har lett fram till en utvidgning av de valda teorierna. Likheter och skillnader har identifierats och behandlats. Dessa har sedan lagt grund för slutsatsen.</p><p>Slutsats: Franchisetagare bör inte benämnas egenföretagare likt juridisk mening med avseende på rollen, verksamheten och ekonomin.</p>