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Adjei, K O (2020) A model for predicting cost control practice in the Ghanaian construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Agumba, J N (2013) A construction health and safety performance improvement model for South African small and medium enterprises, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Ansah, S K (2018) An integrated total quality management model for the Ghanaian construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Coffie, G H (2018) Development of a cost-predicting model for construction projects in Ghana, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Eyiah-Botwe, E (2017) Development of a sustainable stakeholder management framework for construction projects in Ghana, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Grobler, K (2000) Improving the effectiveness and image of the building and civil construction process, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

• Type: Thesis
• Keywords: decision making; life cycle; project success; qualitative analysis; workshops; measurement; project team; construction project; owner
• ISBN/ISSN:
• URL: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/improving-effectiveness-image-building-civil/docview/2564133283/se-2?accountid=13460
• Abstract:
  The construction industry has changed dramatically over the past thirty odd years. The following factors played a significant role in this change: (1) The building boom around the 1970s pressurized the industry to work faster. This was followed by periods of variation in workload, which have over the last number of years manifested in a permanent low demand for construction in South Africa. (2) Projects became larger and more complex. (3) An over-regulated labour environment not only leads to the downsize of organizations, but is a main contributor towards the increased use of subcontracting. (4) The time value of money causes owners to specify compressed project schedules and lowest price is often the only selection factor in the award of contracts. The shift in work from predominantly public sector towards the private sector, which by nature is more time conscious, is another factor pressurizing the industry to work faster. The industry has introduced amongst others the following measures to cope with these demands: (1) Main contractors are subcontracting more and more of the work. (2) The traditional in-series concept came under pressure - the management approaches became formal procurement concepts and design-build re-appeared. (3) New construction techniques such as fast-tracking and the movement towards factory produced elements in certain areas, for example precast concrete elements, reduced project schedules and replaced previously time consuming activities and counteracted to a certain extent the shortage of skilled tradesmen.The author argues that in the process to combat these external pressures, the following problems, amongst others, manifested: (1) Ineffective project procurement. (2) Unethical and unsound practices between main contractors and subcontractors. (3) Lack of quality and reliability of a substantial share of end-products. Another problem burdening the industry is historical, namely cultural differences between designers and contractors. These four issues were investigated in this research study. Listed below are some of the recommendations flowing from the research, which can assist in alleviating the stated problems: Design-build appears to be the concept of the future, especially if a well-defined scope of the work is specified and sufficient lead-time for the design is assured.The following needs consideration when the traditional in-series (design-bid-build) procurement method is employed: (1) The project should preferably follow true inseries fashion. (When design and construction are integrated, as in design-build, advantage can be taken of concurrent engineering). (2) The design team should have sufficient construction experience to ensure constructability - this is especially applicable on complex projects. In construction management the client carries excessive risk being in contract with all the trade contractors. An effective and experienced construction manager is required to manage these risks and to guarantee time and cost schedules. An award point system is proposed that not only compares bidders on price, but also on their previous records of: quality of work, management ability and relations with other role players. On building projects the main contractor has become in essence a manager of trade contractors - stressing the importance of management ability in the selection of main contractors. The relations component can assist in alleviating cultural differences between the professionals and contractors and unethical and unsound practices between main contractors and subcontractors.The industry needs to employ reliability engineering, which considers quality in the time domain. Reliability analysis is based on probabilities and variability and can assist amongst others in assessing the risk of failure, estimating life expectancies to compare alternatives on total life cycle costs, and in maintenance management. The reliability management arm ensures effective interaction, feedback of deficiencies and taking corrective action. This needs to be done through all the phases f the project cycle - feasibility, design, construction and quality control, and in operations and maintenance.The following recommendations can further assist in ensuring safety (especially during construction), quality and reliability of end-products: (1) Designs of buildings and structures should cater for the probability of structural failure during the construction period - this is the dangerous period. (2) The designer in person should in addition to the quality control process visit the site regularly to ensure that critical elements are constructed in accordance with the design. (3) Supervisory personnel of contractors should be trained in basic structural principles and in the technology of the materials they work with.The following amongst others need attention in operations and maintenance: (1) It should be part of the designer's brief to educate the owner and his I her personnel in sound operational and maintenance practices. (2) The designer should play a leading role in this phase and advantage should be taken of the expertise of specialist contractors. The importance of closing the reliability loop cannot be overemphasized - not only to the benefit of the project at hand, but to avoid the same mistakes from happening on future projects. (3) The importance of preventive maintenance is to be highlighted - especially when facilities are subjected to aggressive environmental and operational conditions.Each of the problem areas that have been addressed affects quality in one way or another and improvement in quality and reliability of end-products is the common beneficiary. However, other project criteria should also benefit. This should be measurable in time and cost savings, enhanced safety and improved relations. The building and civil engineering process should become more effective and chances are good that its image will also improve.

Ladzani, M W (2009) Evaluation of small and medium-sized enterprises' performance in the built environment, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Makabate, C T (2021) Investigating the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) within the small medium enterprises (SMEs) in contracting and consulting organisatios in the South African construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Marnewick, C (2008) Ensuring succesful erp implementations using the vision-to-project framework, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Marxen, K (2017) Demand guarantees in the construction industry: A comparative legal study of their use and abuse from a South African, English and German perspective, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Musonda, I (2012) Construction health and safety (H&S) performance improvement: a client-centred model, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Mwanaumo, E M (2013) An integrated approach to multi-stakeholder interventions in construction health and safety, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Nkomo, M W (2020) Assessment of mentoring of construction workers in the South African construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Nyakala, K S (2017) Developing a road construction quality assurance process measurement tool: The case of Mopani district municipality, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.

Ogunsanya, O A (2018) Integrated sustainable procurement model for the Nigerian construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Ojo, E M (2016) Assessment of green supply-chain management in South African and Nigerian construction firms, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Shikweni, S (2018) Talent management in the South African construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Somiah, M K (2018) An integrated competitive advantage model for indigenous construction firms in the Ghanaian construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Yankah, J E (2018) An integrated framework of marketing in construction contracting enterprises in the Ghanaian construction industry, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg (South Africa).

Zaayman, L (2017) Optimisation of mechanised maintenance management of railway track infrastructure, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Johannesburg.