by Keung Wing-fai, Frederick. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-111). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENT --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF TABLES --- p.viii / LIST OF FIGURE --- p.ix / CHAPTER / Chapter I --- INTRODUCTION TO STUDY --- p.1 / State of Art --- p.1 / Objectives of the Study --- p.4 / Methodology --- p.4 / A Model for study --- p.4 / Deductive Method --- p.6 / Inductive Method --- p.8 / Framework of Study --- p.8 / Chapter II --- QUANTITY SURVEYING AS A SERVICE --- p.10 / Introduction --- p.10 / Quantity Surveying in the Surveying Profession --- p.11 / Land Surveying --- p.13 / Quantity Surveying --- p.13 / General Practice Surveying --- p.13 / Building Surveying --- p.14 / Quantity Surveying in the Construction Industry --- p.14 / The Construction Process --- p.14 / Roles of Key Participants in the Construction Process --- p.17 / Relationship of Key Participants in the Construction Process --- p.18 / Principal Services of the Quantity Surveying Profession --- p.21 / Preliminary Cost Advice --- p.21 / Cost Planning --- p.22 / Contracting Methods --- p.22 / Tendering --- p.23 / Valuation of Construction Work --- p.24 / Project Management --- p.24 / Chapter III --- DEVELOPMENT OF THE QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION --- p.25 / Life Cycle Analysis of the Profession --- p.25 / Concept of Product Life Cycle --- p.25 / Concept of Profession --- p.27 / Noel McDonagh and Professor Peter Brandon's Framework --- p.27 / Profession Life Cycle of Quantity Surveying Applications (Services) --- p.28 / Profession Life Cycle of Quantity Surveying Skills --- p.32 / Profession Life Cycle of Quantity Surveying Knowledge --- p.35 / Future Development of the Quantity Surveying Profession --- p.36 / Application of the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Model to the Quantity Surveying Profession --- p.36 / Application of Ansoff's Product/Market Expansion Grid to the Formulation of Development Strategies for the Quantity Surveying Profession --- p.39 / Sequence of Development of New Services --- p.42 / Chapter IV --- ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF THE QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION IN HONG KONG --- p.45 / Economic Environment --- p.45 / Economic Background of Hong Kong --- p.45 / Construction Industry in Hong Kong --- p.47 / Estimation of Private Sector Quantity Surveying Market Size and Profitability of the Quantity Surveying Profession in Hong Kong --- p.48 / Competitive (Immediate) Environment --- p.49 / Competitors --- p.50 / Potential Entrants --- p.52 / Substitutes --- p.53 / Buyers --- p.54 / Suppliers --- p.56 / Conclusions --- p.56 / Chapter V --- EXPLORATION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUANTITY SURVEYING PROFESSION IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA --- p.57 / Introduction --- p.57 / Major Factors Affecting Foreign Investment in China --- p.58 / Special Economic Zone --- p.61 / Professional Design Services in China --- p.62 / The Role of Quantity Surveyors in the PRC --- p.63 / Chapter VI --- STRATEGIC CHOICES TO QUANTITY SURVEYING CONSULTANCY FIRMS IN HONG KONG --- p.65 / Segmentation of Market --- p.65 / Market Segmentation by Client Types --- p.66 / Market Segmentation by Work Types --- p.70 / Opportunities and Threats --- p.71 / Levels of Strategies --- p.72 / Literature Review on Strategies --- p.73 / Strategic Directions for Private Sector Quantity Surveying Consultant Firms in Hong Kong --- p.76 / Chapter VII --- RESULTS OF QUESTIONNAIRE TO LOCAL QUANTITY SURVEYING CONSULTANCY FIRMS --- p.87 / Introduction --- p.87 / Collective Results --- p.89 / Characteristic of Firms --- p.89 / Carrying Out of Corporate Planning --- p.90 / Jobs-in-hand and Income Classification --- p.92 / Jobs-in-hand classified according to Work Types --- p.92 / Jobs-in-hand classified according to Client Types --- p.93 / Income classified according to Service Types --- p.93 / Strategic Directions for the Hong Kong Office --- p.94 / Relative Importance of Future Clients --- p.98 / Chapter VIII --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.100 / Strategic Direction of The Quantity Surveying Profession as a Whole in Hong Kong --- p.100 / Strategic Directions of Individual Quantity Surveying Practices in Hong Kong --- p.102 / Summary --- p.105 / REFERENCES --- p.107 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.110 / APPENDIX / Chapter 1. --- "Questionnaire on ""Strategic Management of Quantity Surveying firms in Hong Kong"""

Job satisfaction and organizational commitment are important for determining both individual and organizational outcomes. Quantity surveyors are important players in the Hong Kong construction industry in providing professional services to developers and contractors. Despite their importance, limited job satisfaction and organizational commitment research has been conducted in the profession, which underlines the basis for the study. Within the quantity surveying profession, quantity surveyors are assigned into work group for handling construction projects. Cooperation and collaboration are common in quantity surveyor’s daily working practice. Given cooperative working arrangement, “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” are regarded as important antecedents for determining job satisfaction and organizational commitment. On the other hand, it is argued that “length of employment within the organization” may have both positive and negative influence on job satisfaction and organizational commitment due to the quantity surveyor’s standardized working duties. Negative perception about the job duties also constitutes a mediation influence on the effect that the antecedents place on organizational commitment. Thus, this research is intended to find out the effect of the three antecedents – “length of employment within the organization”, “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, as well as to investigate the role played by job satisfaction in affecting the relationship between the antecedents and organizational commitment. Based on previous literatures, the relationships between the antecedents, job satisfaction and organizational commitment are examined and a research model is developed for hypotheses testing. Hypotheses 1 and 2 postulate that the three antecedents positively affect job satisfaction and organizational commitment respectively. Each sub-hypothesis under hypotheses 1 and 2 postulates a positive bivariate relationship between one antecedent and one outcome (job satisfaction or organizational commitment). Hypothesis 3 depicts the mediation effect of job satisfaction on the association stated in Hypothesis 2. Questionnaire survey is used to collect primary data for analysis. Bivariate correlation and multiple regression analysis are applied for hypotheses testing. The data analysis results provide full support for the relationships between work group identification and job satisfaction. The results also provide some supports for the positive relationship between other antecedents and job satisfaction / organizational commitment. Mediation effects of job satisfaction on the relationships between the three antecedents and organizational commitment are found in some relationships. This study has both theoretical and practical contributions. A new research theme in construction context is initiated with the use of social exchange theory in examining job satisfaction and organizational commitment within the quantity surveying profession. The research model to explain the relationships between the three antecedents and job satisfaction and organizational commitment is tested. The data analysis results provide a better understanding about job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst chartered quantity surveyors working in the construction industry. Based on the research findings, it is suggested that senior managers should attempt to improve “work group identification” and “propensity to trust” amongst quantity surveyors so as to enhance job satisfaction and organizational commitment within the profession. / published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

The examination of survey diagrams and records submitted by Professional Land Surveyor(s), has been the responsibility of the Surveyor-General(s) Office(s) in South Africa since the passing of the Land Survey Act 9 of 1927 and its successor, the Land Survey Act 8 of 1997. As it stands Professional Land Surveyor(s), registered with the South African Institute of Professional and Technical Surveyors, are the only persons authorised to place and replace cadastral boundaries. Together with the Surveyor-General(s) Office(s), they ensure the integrity of our land tenure system. This research investigated the perceptions of the Professional Land Surveyor(s) and the examiners, as to whether this examination process is necessary to ensure the integrity of the land tenure system, or whether it is a mere hindrance to the registration of land within the Deeds Office(s). A qualitative research approach was undertaken whereby a questionnaire was developed and distributed to all registered Professional Land Surveyor(s) operating in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, semi-structured interviews were performed at the offices of the Surveyor-General with the staff involved with the examination process. It was established that the examination, although perceived as a delay in the registration of property, is vital and if compromised there is a distinct risk of losing the security and integrity that presently exist within the cadastral system. It would appear that the integrity of our cadastral system is not found solely in the professional land surveyor or the examination section, but rather that the combined efforts of the two parties provides an end product that is accurate, correct and ensures that the integrity of the cadastre system is maintained. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

Over the past few years there is an increase in globalization and construction industry companies are becoming more aware of the environmental and social aspects in construction projects. Companies have to make a profit and carry out an obligation towards the community. The reason for introducing codes of conduct is to ensure that companies and persons within the construction industry become more socially responsible and adopt it into their daily businesses due to community pressures. It is essential to enforce codes of conduct throughout the construction industry professions, including all stakeholders and team members within the construction industry. This study has sought to determine the main reasons why some quantity surveyors might not always apply the code of conduct in an ethical and professional manner, as well as to identify possible ways how the code of conduct can be improved, be upheld and implemented more successfully in South Africa. Questionnaires were used to collect data from some quantity surveyors in South Africa. The aim of the questionnaire was to identify how some quantity surveyors implement the code of conduct, where the possible gaps in the code of conduct are and how the current code of conduct can be improved. The data determined that the code of conduct needs to be regularly improved in order to stay up to date with current ethical situations that quantity surveyors face daily in South Africa, as well as that some quantity surveyors have a lack of education and proper understanding of the codes of conduct, lack of keeping up to date with the Code and the guidance in which they serve. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2020. / Construction Economics / MSc (Quantity Surveying) / Unrestricted

This diploma thesis is about the valuation of property, it is focused to requirements of international valuation standards RICS. The motivation of this thesis is popularization of using RICS standards in Czech Republic. These standards have not been translated to Czech language yet. Requirements of these standards are dispersed to many chapters in these standards. The aim of this thesis is analysis of RICS standards and their implication to valuation report according to Czech law. Analysis is made with structured approach with using systematic concept. Analysis refers to valuer, valuation process and valuation report. These objects are structured again. The results are implicated to valuation report according to Czech law and compliance to RICS standards too.

published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Master / Master of Science in Construction Project Management

The society today is heading towards a digital development and many companies are adopting a more digital way of working. The working procedures used in the industry of real estate inspections are in a need of modernization to keep up with the society’s rate of development. Thus, to be able to satisfy the requirements from both the customers and the new generation of surveyors, new tools to perform more efficient inspections need to be developed. The purpose of this study is to examine if real estate inspections, primarily pre-purchase inspections, can be performed more efficient with the use of a digital tool. The study covers the work from the ocular inspection to the post-processing work with the documentation. At first, the study mapped out all the available solutions for digital documentation. A digital tool was chosen to be tested during two pre-purchase inspections. Thereafter, the surveyor’s way of working was compared with a digital way of working. The comparison included differences in the working process, efficiency, and the post processing work. The digital tool could then be evaluated, and improvements were suggested. The study was concluded by a qualitative interview study where people working in the industry of real estate inspections answered nine questions about digital development to increase the comprehension for their personal thoughts and experiences of the subject. The results showed the largest difference between a digital way of working compared to working with paper and pen, was during the post-processing work with the documentation. A digital tool removes unnecessary steps, such as transferring handwritten notes to digital form, which in turn alleviates the workload. Furthermore, it is important that a digital tool is user friendly and flexible, to ensure that the facts about the house are easily collected. Many of the respondents from the interviews were positive to and understood the digital development in their line of business. Most of the responders had also a motivation to develop their skill in digitalization. In conclusion, this study shows that there exists an interest to develop the inspections of real estate and an aim towards a more modern work procedure. Alas, there is more work to be done to make the digital tools competitive to the traditional tools. The area of business is small which unfortunately leads to a limited development. By cooperation between companies and by listening to the professionals in the line of business, the digital development can achieve greater progress. / Dagens samhälle går en digital utveckling till mötes och många verksamheter ansluter sig till ett mer digitalt arbetssätt för att följa med i utvecklingen. Arbetsmetoderna som fastighetsbesiktningsbranschen idag använder sig av kan behöva moderniseras för att kunna hänga med i samhällets utvecklingstakt. För att möta både kunders och den nya generationen besiktningsmäns behov behöver nya verktyg utvecklas för att kunna utföra effektivare besiktningar. Den här studien syftar till att undersöka om fastighetsbesiktningar, främst överlåtelsebesiktningar, kan göras effektivare genom användandet av ett digitalt hjälpmedel. Undersökningen sträcker sig från arbetet med den okulära besiktningen till efterarbetet med dokumentationen. Verkställandet av studien gjordes genom en kartläggning av befintliga lösningar för digital dokumentation. Genom noggrann överläggning valdes ett av de digitala hjälpmedlen ut för att testas vid två överlåtelsebesiktningar. Fortsättningsvis gjordes en jämförelse mellan besiktningsmannens arbetssätt och ett digitalt arbetssätt med det valda hjälpmedlet på arbetsgång, effektivitet samt skillnad i efterarbete med dokumentationen. Det digitala hjälpmedlet kunde sedan utvärderas och förslag till förbättringar och önskvärda egenskaper kunde tas fram. Studien avslutades med en kvalitativ intervjustudie där yrkesverksamma inom branschen fick svara på nio frågor om digital arbetsutveckling för att öka förståelsen för deras personliga tankar och upplevelser kring ämnet. Resultatet visade att den största skillnaden mellan ett digitalt arbetssätt och ett arbetssätt med papper och penna upplevdes under rapportskrivandet. Ett digitalt hjälpmedel tar bort onödiga moment, som exempelvis dubbelarbete genom överföring av redan skrivna anteckningar till dator, som stjäl dyrbar tid. Vidare är det tydligt att det digitala hjälpmedlet ska vara användarvänligt och flexibelt för att utan svårigheter kunna samla fakta om huset som ska besiktigas. Resultatet av intervjustudien visade att majoriteten av de tillfrågade var positiva till och förstod behovet av digital arbetsutveckling. De flesta hade dessutom en vilja att öka sina kunskaper inom digitalisering. Konklusionen är att studien visar att det finns en vilja att utveckla praktiken gällande besiktningar och gå mot ett modernare digitalt arbetssätt, men att det är en bit kvar att gå för att göra dagens digitala hjälpmedel attraktiva för branschens besiktningsmän. Utvecklingen är begränsad av att verksamhetsområdet är litet. Med samarbete företag sinsemellan och genom att lyssna på dem som är yrkeskunniga i branschen kan den digitala utvecklingen åstadkomma större framsteg.

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

The quality of care in our nation’s long term care facilities or nursing homes has been a steadfast matter of public policy for the past few decades. In response to research and reports of poor care, the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) was born in 1987. Since that time, additional legislation has been passed to address the same issue. Continued research in early 2000 has shown that although there have been strides toward increasing the quality of care in these facilities, serious care issues continue to exist. As part of NHRA, every long term care facility in this country that accepts payment from the federal government must complete a survey every nine to fifteen months. There are two types of long term care surveys: the traditional and quality indicator survey (QIS). Recent research has documented that both survey processes are flawed. To date, the federal government has no way to monitor whether QIS is meeting its objectives. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the use of a tool to assess surveyor efficiency and effectiveness on each survey task in the long term care survey. A tool was developed to evaluate surveyor efficiency and effectiveness and a pre-pilot was completed in early March of 2014, to test the tool. The outcome of that testing was that data collection was complex; many of the survey tasks were conducted simultaneously making it impossible for one researcher to conduct the evaluation. At the same time, the participating healthcare organization decided that another project took precedence. Although the project never was completed, the evaluation of surveyor efficiency and effectiveness is recommended in further research, as thousands of residents in long term care facilities depend on the survey process to ensure high quality of care.