The construction industry in South Africa is envisaged to play a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the South African economy, via the delivery of economic and social infrastructure. The skewed ownership I patterns prevalent in the construction sector, resulted in the South African government utilising public sector procurement as a mechanism to address these imbalances, and to promote wider participation I in public sector construction opportunities. This dissertation analyses the role of the construction industry in South Africa, and explores the rationale behind utilising public sector procurement as a mechanism to promote wider participation in the construction industry in South Africa. The research then focuses on the application of the Affirmative Procurement Policy (APP) on construction projects procured by the National Department of Public Works, in order to evaluate the impact which this policy has had on the growth and development of Affirmable Business Enterprises (ABEs). The research evaluates the primary policy outcomes, via the development of appropriate indices and a diagnostic quadrant comparator, and concludes that the application of the APP has had a positive impact on ABE participation, with levels of participation varying across construction sub sectors and categories. It was also found that financial premiums, borne by the State in adopting this policy, were nominal when compared with the initial projected outcomes and the overall benefits. The overall performance of ABEs, measured against that of non-ABEs, was then tested to ascertain whether the adoption of the APP was a necessary and sufficient condition for ABE enablement and empowerment. The research concludes that there is a difference in overall performance between J ABEs and non-ABEs, and that supply side interventions and capacitation programmes are required to mitigate the increased risk exposure by the State, when engaging ABEs on construction projects. The : research also analyses the variation in the levels of participation of ABEs, in the different construction sub sectors and concludes that the manner in which ABEs are structured and their internal business processes tend to establish operational limitations, which influence their scope of activitiies to a larger extent than the existence of eternal sub sector thresholds. Similar characteristics were,observed in non-ABEs of a similar size, inferring that the problems encountered relate to business development and growth of small and medium enterprises, in general. The research also. analyses the impact that the APP has had on subcontracting relationships and the promotion of structured joint ventures. It concludes that whilst the requirements of the APP has seen the development of formalised subcontracting relationships, the form of subcontracts that are currently utilised do not comply with the requirements outlined in the APP, which are aimed at eradicating unfair subcontracting conditions. The adoption of the APP has seen an increase in structured joint ventures between ABEs and larger established contractors. The analysis of these joint ventures concludes that they provide an effective means of transferring expertise, provided that they are structured appropriately. The dissertation concludes with recommendations on APP policy refinements, mechanisms to enhance compliance and opportunities for international application. The recent enactment of the Preferential Procurement Policy Act (Act 5 of 20(0) in South Africa indicates that several elements of the APP are likely to be prescribed as mandatory requirements for public sector procurement by different government institutions and across the different industrial sectors. It is therefore important that the areas identified for further research be pursued, to ensure optimal policy outcomes across a range of industrial sectors. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the use of CM for Indiana school construction projects and the perceived level of superintendents' satisfaction with the performance of CM. More specifically, the following issues were analyzed: (a) of the projects costing two million dollars or more, what percentage used CM in the years 1994 and 1995 compared to the previous two years; (b) to determine if a relationship exists related to the geographical location and enrollment of a school corporation and the decision to use CM; (c) to determine if a relationship exists related to the cost of a project and the decision to use CM; (d) to determine method and amount of CM compensation related to construction cost; (e) to determine superintendents' perceived level of satisfaction with the use of CM; (f) to determine superintendents' perceptions regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of CM.A descriptive survey research procedure was used in this study. The survey instrument was developed by the author following input from a panel of experts. The population of this study was superintendents of Indiana school corporations with school construction projects costing two million dollars or more during the years of 1994 and 1995. Data were collected during March and April 1997. A total of 38 superintendents were identified for the study and a total of 32 usable surveys were returned and analyzed.The findings indicated: (a) more than half of the school construction projects used CM; (b) suburban and rural school districts reported using CM for their projects more often than other geographic classifications; (c) 50% of the superintendents surveyed indicated enrollments of 5,000 or more students; (d) no significant findings were reported for school construction costs and use of CM; (e) nearly two thirds of the superintendents surveyed reported paying a flat fee for CM services; (f) more than 70% of the superintendents surveyed reported the use of CM achieved expected levels of effectiveness and efficiency; (g) more than 70% of the superintendents surveyed reported being at least satisfied with the performance of CM services. In addition, the study offers recommendations for practice and further research. / Department of Educational Leadership

This study examined advanced refundings of Indiana school construction bonds from 1993 to 1996. Purposes were to: (a) add to the professional knowledge base about advanced refundings; (b) evaluate the financial consequences on taxpayers; (c) determine benefits as measured by interest rates, terms, and payment amounts; (d) determine whether selected financial conditions and demographic variables impacted refunding outcomes.The population was all instances of advanced refundings by Indiana public school districts in the period studied. Data were collected from the bond transcripts prepared by legal counsels and placed in tabulation forms developed for the project.Primary findings included:(a) Three quarters of the refunding occurred in the first 10 years of the paymentstream; 27% occurred in the first four years.(b) As the size of the issue increased, the cost (as a percentage of the issue)decreased.(c) Mean decrease in interest rate for the refizndings was .023915 or 239 basis points.(d) Net fiscal impact was generally positive, with a mean savings of $224,218. (e) A negative correlation existed between district wealth and annual paymentamount (i.e., districts with high assessed valuations had smaller changes inannual payments).(f) A positive correlation existed between interest rate change and refunding amount (i.e., large issues were more sensitive to slight changes in interest rates).Selected conclusions included:(a) The benefits of refunding diminished with time (i.e., greatest benefits are likely in the first quarter of the payment stream).(b) Some refundings occurred when the decline in basis points was below a standard level used for municipal bonds; this suggests that school officials may engage in refundings for reasons that extend beyond savings (e.g., political benefits).(c) An economy of scale between refunding size and costs supports existing research.(d) Costs for local school district counsel varied considerably, suggesting that no compensation standard was used.(e) Wealthier districts were less interested in lowering annual payments; their pursuit of refunding may have been motivated by flexibility (i.e., shortening the debt life, accessing fiscal resources).(f) Districts with large bond issues benefited from refunding even when the declines in interest rates were slight.Eight recommendations were formalized. / Department of Educational Leadership

The purpose of this research was to study the selection of architectural firms for 1997 and 1998 Indiana school construction projects of two million dollars or more. The study reported rankings for architectural selection criteria. Additionally, the study analyzed architectural selection procedures, architectural fees, the degree of respondent satisfaction with architectural services and the finished product, and the amount of inclusiveness in the selection.State records were used to identify the projects approved during the two-year period. Additional data were collected for 81% of the projects via surveys completed by superintendents or their designees.Major findings reported in the study include the following:1. Fees paid to architects ranged from 3.2% to 12.9% of construction costs, with the mean fee being 5.7%.2. In approximately 60% of the projects studied, respondents reported using an inclusive selection procedure for employing an architect.3. Slightly less than one-third of the projects (29%) used a direct selection procedure that precluded the use of a selection committee or the consideration of more than one firm.4. The two most frequently named selection criteria were experience in designing schools and reputation for completing projects within budget.5. The only variable found to have a significant association with the amount of fee paid was satisfaction with architectural services. Respondents in the low-fee category identified the highly satisfied response more than was expected.Outcomes suggest that a considerable number of school officials in the state did not adhere to the accepted best practices concerning competitive selection and the use of inclusive selection committees. The considerable variance in fees paid to architects was not explained by district size, district wealth, the nature of the construction project, or by the selection procedure used.Additional research was recommended in the following areas: (a) replication of the study in other states, (b) qualitative studies of superintendent attitudes about selection criteria and selection committee membership, (c) criteria for setting architectural fees, and (d) factors contributing to superintendent satisfaction. In addition, Indiana policymakers were encouraged to require local school districts to use competitive selection procedures. / Department of Educational Leadership

This study was to develop an instrument for the collection of data relative to construction of public school buildings for the state of Indiana. The number of totally new public schools for which construction contracts were let in Indiana between January 1, 1966 and December 31, 1968 was to be determined. A third purpose of the study was to identify selected predominate physical components used in the construction of school buildings included in the study. A final purpose was to determine the percentage range of expenditures for each of the selected contracts relative to the total cost of the individual facility, as well as the total cost of construction of school buildings included in the study.Procedures and MethodologyThe research design used in this study included the following procedures: (1) determining the totally new public school construction projects; (2) preparation and refinement of the data gathering instrument; (3) data gathering activities; and (4) treatment of data.Public school construction projects for totally new structures for which construction contracts were let in Indiana between January 1, 1966 and December 31, 1968 were included in the study. A printed questionnaire was mailed to school superintendents in which such a construction project was located. The population consisted of 113 facilities of which responses were received concerning 106 or 9308 per cent. A percentage range of selected contract costs was computed for each individual facility and a frequency tabulation was made on the most often used selected physical component.FindingsOf the 106 buildings included in the study 69 or 65,09 per cent were one story construction. Seventy-four or 69.81 per cent used a steel framing system, 100 or 94°33 per cent used brick exterior walls, 38 or 35,84 per cent used unit ventilators for heating and cooling, 67 or 63.2 per cent had cooling to some extent, 58 or 54.71 per cent used natural gas for heat energy, 65 or 61.32 per cent used carpeting on less than 50 per cent of the floor surface, and 52 or 49.05 per cent used non-load bearing walls as interior partitions. The predominate selected physical component was computed for classified buildings based on grades housed.The percentage range of the general contract cost ranged from a low of 40.92 per cent to a high of 70.97 per cent of the total cost of the individual facilities. The percentage range for the mechanical contract was from a low of 7.25 per cent to a high of 25.61 per cent of the total cost of the individual facility. The percentage range of the electrical contract was from 5.1 per cent to 20.69 per cent and the architect's commission percentage range was from 2.11 per cent to a high of 6.92 per cent of the total cost of the individual facility. Other cost findings were presented in the study.Conclusions1. The great range of construction costs indicates many school administrators lack time, training, and experience to serve effectively as coordinators for planning outstanding and economical school plants.2. A significant number of school facilities included in the study were designed in such a manner as to virtually eliminate flexibility.3. A significant number of elementary schools failed to incorporate environmental comfort features, such as carpeting and air conditioning.4. The fees for legal services rendered in connection with construction of school facilities varied greatly.5. The sale of general obligation bonds was an inadequate method of financing school construction in Indiana.6. If school districts are going to realize a reduction in the amount of the total obligation incurred in financing school construction costs the state of Indiana must provide additional funds for financing school construction.

Six civil engineering and building projects under construction have been observed in order to compare theory and practice, and thus draw conclusions on how clients and their management teams may control construction effectively. It has been reported and the six studies have shown that during construction as problems occur decisions taken to tackle them result in changes to one or more of the independant variables cost, time and performance. It is therefore argued in this thesis that if these variables are to be controlled to the client's benefit: (i) clear responsibilities, duties and authority to make decisions should be given to the members of project management teams; (ii) a project control system should be set up which will help the management team to perform those duties; (iii) both the management team and the system should be organized to suit the particular project and client.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993.

Thesis (M.A.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2007. / "Master of Art in arbitration and dispute resolution, LW6409 dissertation" Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 22, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2006. / "Master of Art in arbitration and dispute resolution, LW6409-dissertation" Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on May 22, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

O presente trabalho analisa a qualificação do tipo social do contrato de EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) na ordem jurídica brasileira em face do tipo legal do contrato de empreitada. Investiga-se, portanto, a existência de identidade ou diferença entre ambos os tipos a fim de que se possa dar ao EPC a devida qualificação jurídica. Para isso, no Capítulo I, são apresentados os caracteres gerais dos contratos de construção, com foco na delimitação do espaço normativo específico ocupado pelo contrato de empreitada. No Capítulo II, apresenta-se o Contrato de EPC. São delineadas suas principais características gerais para que, em um segundo momento, possa-se aprofundar a análise a partir do emprego do método tipológico. Por fim, no Capítulo III, demonstra-se a forma como o regulamento dos contratos atípicos mistos em geral é construído para, posteriormente, analisar-se a formação do regulamento do EPC em seus principais pontos. / The present work analyzes the qualification of the social type of the EPC Contract (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) in the Brazilian legal order in consideration with the legal type of the works and supply contract. It is therefore investigated the existence of an identity or difference between the two contractual types in order to give the EPC the appropriate legal status. For this purpose, in Chapter I the general characteristics of construction contracts are presented, focusing on the delimitation of the specific normative space occupied by the works and supply contract. In Chapter II, the EPC Contract is presented. Its main general characteristics are presented so that, in a second moment, one can deepen the analysis using the typological method. Finally, Chapter III demonstrates the way in which the regulation of mixed atypical contracts in general is constructed, so that it can be analyzed the formation of the EPC regulation in its main points.