In recent yerars there has been a general concern over the performance of the UK construction industry. This has been reflected in the reports of Latham (1994) and Egan (1998) stating that the UK is still suffering from underachievements and low productivity. Clients critisise the industry for not always achieving what they need and the majortiy of them are not satisfied with the quality of the construction industry. Many of the problems encountered in the design and construction phases orginate from from the pre-project planning phase. The main problems are frequently attributed to poor planning and poor identification of client needs which act as contributory factors to poor project performance. These problems have led to the need for a change in the construction industry by focusing on the roots of the problems attributed to poor performance. One approach that could help to improve construction performance is to pay more attention to the pre-project planning phase since major decisions concerning the project are made during this phase. The main aim of the research is to develop a framework for improving pre-project planning to enable construction clients overcome the problems that they encounter with other project participants. Such a framework would assisst construction clients to identify and communicate their needs more clearly to other stake holders. The framework provides a comprehensive tool to help solve problems that occur during pre-project planning with respect to project objectives and goals of the construction project to enable performance to be measured and improved. This thesis presents a framework for improving pre-project planning of construction projects. The methodology adopted to conduct the research involved a comprehensive literature review. Critical pre-project planning functions have been presented and tested through the questionnaire survey and case interviews to determine how clients perform pre-project planning

Sustainable construction projects are expanding in the market and green codes andstandards are advancing giving the ground for development of technology and materialsapplied. With every new material and technology utilised in the field, also risks aregrowing. The importance of risk management in sustainable construction projects isthus increasing and more experience and expertise is needed. So, the purpose of thisthesis is to examine and gain deeper understanding of project related risks in sustainableconstruction projects in Swedish companies operating in built environment. It is crucialto gain knowledge of good practices within the industry to be able to propose furtherinvestigation of the subject that could improve the existing risk management andsustainable construction project goals.This thesis examines the existing theory of the risk management process and sustainableprojects by shedding light on the trends within the construction industry. The intentionof the thesis is to add value to the existing gap in the theory that suggests thatconstruction industry is exposed to more risks and uncertainty than perhaps otherindustries, and that introducing sustainability adds more uncertainties and risks. Thisphenomenon is claimed to be due to the lack of knowledge and experience in the areaand, thus, practitioners seek for new ways how to tackle the arising issues. This thesisattempts to display how Swedish companies who are working with green and highperformance buildings identify and deal with risks.Two Swedish companies operating in built environment were chosen in order toinvestigate different ways of dealing with risks and the trend of sustainability inconstruction. Those in charge of risk and sustainability within the companies wereinterviewed applying semi-structured interviews and additional information wasgathered through multiple sources, such as annual reports, web pages and otherdocuments. This thesis has exploratory and qualitative research design and appliesabductive approach for the purpose and the nature of phenomena.The findings showed the different tools how risk management is applied in thecompanies and how it is related to the risks faced in green building construction. Theresults showed the importance of tools applied tackling sustainable construction projectsthat companies have applied and added to their processes in order to manageuncertainties that could occur if these processes were not implemented. As regards thegeneralisability towards findings, there still could be added more companies and futureresearch could imply also maturity of the companies to make findings more precise.However, after consideration of the processes learnt from companies, the proposedmodel for achievement of successful sustainable construction projects can be followedand applied in other companies operating in this industry.

<p>Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) projects have long been considered as a strategy for organizational growth and gain of market share. Top management teams of companies take M&As into consideration since it is faster and less costly compare to internal growth and development programs. M&A project has variety of benefits such as growth in market share, increase in shareholder wealth, access to new markets, technological advantages and so on and so forth. Another benefit of such projects is the expected synergies which happen in financial, production, value chain and technological aspects of the existing company. However, according to many authors there is a high rate of failure in M&A industry. One of the main reasons of failure identified as the poor performance of post-M&A integration projects. Based on literature, a project perspective to these highly complex projects will reduce the risk of failure and will result in successful performance of new companies. However, there is a research gap in this filed.</p><p> </p><p>After identifying the research gap and formulating the problem statement, research was designed in order to study the applicability of a project management (PM) approach toward M&A and their integration projects. Through performing a case study on a Swedish company who has undergone a number of M&A projects, interviews were conducted with top management team involved in such projects in order to collect empirical data. Based on qualitative data analysis methods, the primary data was integrated into pattern and themes and then analyzed.</p><p> </p><p>Based on the findings of the research, it was identified that in acquisition projects of small and medium size companies the strategic fit is more significant than organizational fit since the new company will dissolve completely and the rest of the integration is in control of the company. Furthermore, after identifying M&A projects as temporary organizations, three aspects: project organization, human resource and governance were verified based on literature. In the context of this study, human resource and governance is considered key elements in terms of acquisition projects. Finally, a framework was proposed in order to implement project management approach by fulfilling three dimension of PM which are project organization, project life-cycle and project governance.</p>

Mergers and acquisitions (M&amp;A) projects have long been considered as a strategy for organizational growth and gain of market share. Top management teams of companies take M&amp;As into consideration since it is faster and less costly compare to internal growth and development programs. M&amp;A project has variety of benefits such as growth in market share, increase in shareholder wealth, access to new markets, technological advantages and so on and so forth. Another benefit of such projects is the expected synergies which happen in financial, production, value chain and technological aspects of the existing company. However, according to many authors there is a high rate of failure in M&amp;A industry. One of the main reasons of failure identified as the poor performance of post-M&amp;A integration projects. Based on literature, a project perspective to these highly complex projects will reduce the risk of failure and will result in successful performance of new companies. However, there is a research gap in this filed.   After identifying the research gap and formulating the problem statement, research was designed in order to study the applicability of a project management (PM) approach toward M&amp;A and their integration projects. Through performing a case study on a Swedish company who has undergone a number of M&amp;A projects, interviews were conducted with top management team involved in such projects in order to collect empirical data. Based on qualitative data analysis methods, the primary data was integrated into pattern and themes and then analyzed.   Based on the findings of the research, it was identified that in acquisition projects of small and medium size companies the strategic fit is more significant than organizational fit since the new company will dissolve completely and the rest of the integration is in control of the company. Furthermore, after identifying M&amp;A projects as temporary organizations, three aspects: project organization, human resource and governance were verified based on literature. In the context of this study, human resource and governance is considered key elements in terms of acquisition projects. Finally, a framework was proposed in order to implement project management approach by fulfilling three dimension of PM which are project organization, project life-cycle and project governance.

Social lmpact Assessment is a relatively new field of study in South Africa and abroad. It is dynamic and constantly changes as it develops. Current literature indicates that there is a need for SIA to be done through all phases of the project life cycle. The assumption made in this study is that this is not happening in practice. This study investigated the current practices in South Africa. Six case studies were analysed. The results confirmed the assumptions. The case studies were measured against the principles of Social lrnpact Assessment, lntegrated Environmental Management and Social Development. The main recommendations are that Social lmpact Assessments should be conducted throughout the Project Life Cycle and be initiated as early in the planning phase as possible. It is recommended that Social lmpact Practitioners should be exposed to the Social Development approach as these two philosophies could enhance each other. Social Impact Assessment forms part of the Integrated Environmental Management tools, and shouldn't be treated as a snapshot assessment, but as a process. Only when treated as a process, it can truly contribute to sustainable development. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Social lmpact Assessment is a relatively new field of study in South Africa and abroad. It is dynamic and constantly changes as it develops. Current literature indicates that there is a need for SIA to be done through all phases of the project life cycle. The assumption made in this study is that this is not happening in practice. This study investigated the current practices in South Africa. Six case studies were analysed. The results confirmed the assumptions. The case studies were measured against the principles of Social lrnpact Assessment, lntegrated Environmental Management and Social Development. The main recommendations are that Social lmpact Assessments should be conducted throughout the Project Life Cycle and be initiated as early in the planning phase as possible. It is recommended that Social lmpact Practitioners should be exposed to the Social Development approach as these two philosophies could enhance each other. Social Impact Assessment forms part of the Integrated Environmental Management tools, and shouldn't be treated as a snapshot assessment, but as a process. Only when treated as a process, it can truly contribute to sustainable development. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The nature of the construction industry and the complexities accompanying the sector of the economy globally, necessitates that role players review their positions continuously in an effort to stay abreast of the most modern best practice value chain developments, not only in terms of relationships formed within the upstream supply chain (client supply chain), but also within the downstream supply chain (main contractor/supplier supply chain). Not only is it a natural phenomenon for role players to shift their focus from best practise value chain development to a more relaxed state during a boom in the global economy, but also to shift their focus back to best practices during a slump in the global economy, in order to protect their margins and competitive position established during economic prosperity. To this extent, this dissertation offers an overview of the core aspects that cause misalignment between the objectives of the role players in the construction industry as well as the critical need for role players to proactively shift their paradigm in an effort to mitigate any potential effects the economy might have on role player relationships as well as on the productivity of the industry and the supply chain. Chapter 1 provides the overview, the problem statement and the primary and secondary objectives of the study, and in particular, achieving alignment of the objectives of the role players in a typical construction project. This is followed by a detailed literature study in chapter 2 that provides information regarding role player relationships and the alignment of objectives in the construction industry. This is supported by an empirical study in chapter 3 that links the practical state of affairs with the literature study. The dissertation then concludes by introducing recommendations and a generic project strategic model that can be implemented in an effort to achieve alignment of the objectives of the role players in a typical construction project. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Uranium exploration and mining activities in Namibia have increased rapidly since 2003, which increase not only poses a significant impact on the country’s economy, but also on its unique and pristine natural environment. The nature and extent of the environmental impacts associated with uranium mining requires a sound environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium activities, impacts and aspects during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. It also requires of authorities to establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during uranium mining operations and to ensure that all environmental impacts that inevitably occur as a result of uranium mining activities are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. In order to do this the country must develop and maintain an efficient and effective environmental governance regime. Namibia’s environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium mining does not cover the entire PLC of uranium mining. It is vital that the current loops in the country’s existing environmental regulatory framework be closed and that an efficient and effective environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, be established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, ecosystems, essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of Namibia, as well as the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future, as pledged in the Namibian Constitution. / Thesis (LL.M. (Environmental law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The nature of the construction industry and the complexities accompanying the sector of the economy globally, necessitates that role players review their positions continuously in an effort to stay abreast of the most modern best practice value chain developments, not only in terms of relationships formed within the upstream supply chain (client supply chain), but also within the downstream supply chain (main contractor/supplier supply chain). Not only is it a natural phenomenon for role players to shift their focus from best practise value chain development to a more relaxed state during a boom in the global economy, but also to shift their focus back to best practices during a slump in the global economy, in order to protect their margins and competitive position established during economic prosperity. To this extent, this dissertation offers an overview of the core aspects that cause misalignment between the objectives of the role players in the construction industry as well as the critical need for role players to proactively shift their paradigm in an effort to mitigate any potential effects the economy might have on role player relationships as well as on the productivity of the industry and the supply chain. Chapter 1 provides the overview, the problem statement and the primary and secondary objectives of the study, and in particular, achieving alignment of the objectives of the role players in a typical construction project. This is followed by a detailed literature study in chapter 2 that provides information regarding role player relationships and the alignment of objectives in the construction industry. This is supported by an empirical study in chapter 3 that links the practical state of affairs with the literature study. The dissertation then concludes by introducing recommendations and a generic project strategic model that can be implemented in an effort to achieve alignment of the objectives of the role players in a typical construction project. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Uranium exploration and mining activities in Namibia have increased rapidly since 2003, which increase not only poses a significant impact on the country’s economy, but also on its unique and pristine natural environment. The nature and extent of the environmental impacts associated with uranium mining requires a sound environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium activities, impacts and aspects during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. It also requires of authorities to establish and enhance environmental protection and sustainability during uranium mining operations and to ensure that all environmental impacts that inevitably occur as a result of uranium mining activities are addressed in a holistic and integrated manner during each phase of the project life cycle of a uranium mine. In order to do this the country must develop and maintain an efficient and effective environmental governance regime. Namibia’s environmental law and policy framework that regulates uranium mining does not cover the entire PLC of uranium mining. It is vital that the current loops in the country’s existing environmental regulatory framework be closed and that an efficient and effective environmental governance regime, as envisaged in this study, be established. This will enable the administering agents to actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people, ecosystems, essential ecological processes and the biodiversity of Namibia, as well as the utilisation of living natural resources on a sustainable basis to the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future, as pledged in the Namibian Constitution. / Thesis (LL.M. (Environmental law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.