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Džananović, Mirza. "The role of the factory “Bratstvo” (Brotherhood) in the development of Novi Travnik." Historijski pogledi 3, no. 4 (December 30, 2020): 228–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.52259/historijskipogledi.2020.3.4.228.
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The establishment of the socialist regime had led to thorough political, economic, social, cultural and other changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first decade after the Second World War was marked by the reconstruction of the war-torn country, and great support in that process was provided by the USSR - the main ally of the new Yugoslavia. Emphasis was placed on the intensive development of the industry, which was to be the carrier of the overall economic development of the entire country. In accordance with this strategy, large industrial plants were established in all parts of Yugoslavia, thanks to which there was an intensive process of urbanization of numerous previously dormant communities. However, when there was a conflict and then a break with the USSR, Yugoslavia was forced to partially modify its economic development plans (the so-called Five-Year Plans). These changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina were most felt by cities such as Zenica, which instead of the originally planned Doboj became a Yugoslav metallurgical center, and Novi Travnik, which arose as a result of relocating part of the arms industry from Kragujevac in Serbia to central Bosnia. The factory “Bratstvo" (meaning Brotherhood) was built on a deserted meadow near Travnik in the heart of central Bosnia, and for the needs of housing workers who built industrial plants, as well as for those who worked in those plants, the first residential buildings were built in the form of low-quality wooden barracks. These were the roots of the workers' settlement that gradually grew into a new town called Novi Travnik. The fateful link between the factory and the city, which was established at that time, was not interrupted during the entire socialist period, so the survival and development of Novi Travnik completely depended on the business opportunities in the "Bratstvo" factory. The expansion of the production and plant of the "Bratstvo" also included the construction of new housing, communal, social, health, sports, cultural, catering and other facilities in Novi Travnik. A successful business year in "Bratstvo" meant a secure inflow of money into the local community budget as well as a sufficient number of funds for the work of cultural, artistic, entertainment, sports and all other societies in the city. The same rule applied in the case of bad business of "Bratstvo", and the most obvious example of how important the factory was for Novi Travnik can be seen in the case of a failed business in Ghana. The local authorities in Novi Travnik were absolutely aware of the role of the "Brotherhood" in the development of Novi Travnik and tried in every way to facilitate the functioning of the company, so, except for a few mere misunderstandings, relations between city and factory management were mostly friendly. After all, when the survival of the "Bratstvo" was called into question due to the failed business in Ghana, local authorities were among the first to appeal for the company's salvation, clearly noting that with the disappearance of the factory, the fate of Novi Travnik would be sealed. The paper presents a brief overview of the history of the company "Bratstvo" from its founding in June 1949 until the end of the socialist period in 1990, and analyses the relations between the city and factory authorities in that period. The aim of the paper was to show the importance that the factory "Bratstvo" had for the overall development of Novi Travnik and to determine how much the local authorities were aware of the role of companies in the development of the city. The paper provides insight into the processes that took place in a particular local community, but which can also be found in other industrial cities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Yugoslavia during the socialist period.
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Simpson, Kweku Bedu, and Aloysius Sam. "Strategies for health and safety management in Ghana." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology 18, no. 2 (September 18, 2019): 431–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-07-2019-0189.
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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the contemporary strategies for Health and Safety (H&S) management practices at the construction sites in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed method approach in conducting a cross-sectional survey at 28 active construction sites in the Kumasi and Accra metropolises of Ghana using questionnaires and interview guide by using purposive, convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected from 170 survey respondents and 18 interview participants comprising artisans and management staff. Findings On H&S management practices, the study found that most construction sites have policies for H&S delivery and are duly followed and enforced. Nonetheless, construction workers moderately agreed that there was reward for; the avoidance and reduction of accidents and illnesses, good H&S behaviour and provision for insurance and hospital claims. It was also revealed that most of the construction sites adopt either one or a combination of mandatory H&S standards. Generally, most workers possessed a fairly positive perception about the H&S management practices at their sites and were either satisfied or very satisfied with its performance. Research limitations/implications Generalizing the findings beyond the study areas is limited because of the use of the non-probability sampling techniques. Originality/value This study focused on the active construction sites in the study areas to investigate their H&S practices against the backdrop of numerous publications describing the general H&S situation in Ghana as poor. It revealed the current H&S performance of the construction sites for the benefit of the construction industry, researchers and the academia.
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Annor-Asubonteng, Joseph, Callistus Tengan, Tom Mboya Asigri, and Napoleon Kuebutornye D. K. "Investigating the Cost Management Practices of Indigenous Firms in the Ghanaian Construction Industry." Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies 10, no. 5(J) (November 3, 2018): 179–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.22610/jebs.v10i5(j).2507.
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Cost management is key to project implementation and an important tool for maximizing profit nonetheless it has been a major challenge for most indigenous construction firms in Ghana. The study seeks to investigate the important factors influencing cost management practices among indigenous construction firms in Ghana and to ascertain whether there is a significant difference between the responses of the categories of the firm (construction and consultancy firms) in Ghana. A total of 82 questionnaires were retrieved from 100 administered questionnaires to professionals with indigenous construction firms representing 82% response rate. Data gathered were analyzed descriptively using Mean Item Score (MIS) via SPSS version 24 to identify the most important factors. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity conducted showed a KMO score of 0.894. Bartlett’s test of sphericity also revealed a significance level of 0.000 (p˂0.05). The ANOVA suggest that there is no significant difference between the responses between the categories of firms. Indigenous firms are encouraged therefore to consider managing disagreement between project team members by ensuring constant project implementation meetings and to understand ground conditions of projects by visiting proposed sites prior to estimation and tendering. Finally, communication and expenditure control measures should be enhanced and introduced respectively. The implication of this study while contributing to the discourse on cost management practices of indigenous constructions firms in Ghana, also outlines the major (highly ranked) factors influencing indigenous firms in the management of project cost, before, during and after project implementation.
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Ayarkwa, J., Ayirebi Dansoh, E. Adinyira, and P. Amoah. "Performance of building technology graduates in the construction industry in Ghana." Education + Training 53, no. 6 (August 16, 2011): 531–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00400911111159485.
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Teye Amoatey, Charles, and Betty Asantewaa Anson. "Investigating the major causes of scope creep in real estate construction projects in Ghana." Journal of Facilities Management 15, no. 4 (September 4, 2017): 393–408. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfm-11-2016-0052.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of scope creep on project completion in the real estate development industry in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Both simple random sampling and convenience sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents for the study. The respondents were experts working in the real estate development industry in Ghana. Findings Results from the study showed that the most critical factors that cause scope creep in the Ghanaian real estate development industry are client changes, unforeseen risks and unclear scope. Mitigating measures for addressing these factors were proposed. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to causes of scope creep in the real estate development industry in Ghana based on data collected from only real estate development firms in Accra. Due to geographic constraints, the researcher was unable to sample real estate development companies across the entire country. The finding of this study may not be generalised since causes of scope creep can be unique to individual country contexts. Practical implication This paper has documented the critical causes of scope creep and its major impacts on project completion in the real estate development industry in Ghana. The results will help project managers in the industry to appreciate the causes of scope creep and its effect on project completion as well as increase the quality of economics on real estate management and reduce the costs and risks of housing of delivery in the country. Originality/value The paper examined the causes and mitigation of project scope creep in the Ghanaian context.
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Amoatey, Charles Teye, and Alfred Nii Okanta Ankrah. "Exploring critical road project delay factors in Ghana." Journal of Facilities Management 15, no. 2 (May 15, 2017): 110–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfm-09-2016-0036.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of road construction delays in Ghana and identify appropriate mitigation measures. Design/methodology/approach The initial approach involved an empirical analysis of 48 road projects to quantify the extent of time. This was followed by a survey of the perception of road agency and donor partner officials of the critical causes of road project delays. Findings About 70 per cent of road projects experience delays and 52 per cent experience cost overruns. The average time overrun and cost overruns of road projects in Ghana was 17 months and US$1.15m (or 22.5 per cent), respectively. The five most critical causes of road construction delays were delay in finance and payment of completed work by owner (client-related); inadequate contractor experience (contractor-related); changes in scope by the owner during construction (client-related); delay to furnish and deliver the site to the contractor (client-related); and inflexible funding allocation for project items (donor-related). Research limitations/implications The most critical constraint of this study is the fact that findings are based on only the views of industry professional experts. It may be assumed that despite using broadly used terminology to refer to the causes of project delays, the interpretations by respondents may have differed from those intended. Further research could look at the correlation between time overrun and cost overrun using principle component analysis. Practical implications The identified delay factors are not unique to the road sector. From both academic and practical perspectives, the results emphasizes on the need for a holistic and integrated risk management model for the entire construction industry in Ghana. Originality/value The paper examined the causes of road project delays in the Ghanaian context and recommended remedial measures.
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Van Gyampo, Ransford Edward. "Transparency and Accountability in the Management of Oil Revenues in Ghana." Africa Spectrum 51, no. 2 (August 2016): 79–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000203971605100205.
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This paper undertakes a five-year review of the management of oil revenues in Ghana since the commencement of oil production in 2010. Using reports from the Petroleum Transparency and Accountability Index, official records from key state agencies, and interviews with core individuals within the petroleum sector, the paper assesses the quality of transparency and accountability in the management of Ghana's oil revenue. It argues that even though some progress has been made in the transparent and accountable use of oil revenues, more can be achieved if certain critical bills are passed and proactive interventions pursued without further delay on the part of government and policymakers within Ghana's petroleum sector. These would help prevent both potential social conflict that may result from a lack of information on how oil revenues are utilised and the corrupt use of oil funds by politicians and people in authority within the oil industry.
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Amoatey, Charles Teye, Samuel Famiyeh, and Peter Andoh. "Risk assessment of mining projects in Ghana." Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering 23, no. 1 (March 13, 2017): 22–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jqme-09-2015-0044.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the critical risk factors affecting mining projects in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A purposive sampling approach was used in selecting the respondents for the study. These were practitioners working on mining projects in Ghana. Findings The study identified 22 risk factors contributing to mining project failure in Ghana. The five most critical mining project risk factors based on both probability of occurrence and impact were unstable commodity prices, inflation/exchange rate, land degradation, high cost of living and government bureaucracy for obtaining licenses. Mitigation measures for addressing the identified risk factors were identified. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to data collected from practitioners working on mining projects. Due to geographic and logistical constraints, the study did not include the perception of local communities in quantifying the risk factors. Practical implications This paper has documented the critical risk factor affecting the mining industry in Ghana. Though the identified risk types are also prevalent in other sectors of the construction industry, the key findings of this paper emphasize the need for a comprehensive risk management culture in the mining sector. From an academic research perspective, the paper contributes to a conceptual risk assessment framework. Originality/value The information gathered through this research can be utilized in identifying and understanding risks during the early stages of mining project implementation.
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Boadu, Elijah Frimpong, Riza Yosia Sunindijo, and Cynthia Changxin Wang. "Health and Safety Consideration in the Procurement of Public Construction Projects in Ghana." Buildings 11, no. 3 (March 20, 2021): 128. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/buildings11030128.
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This study explored the extent to which health and safety (H&S) are considered in the procurement of public sector projects in Ghana. This is based on the background that procurement decisions have implications for project H&S management. The enormous size of public procurement projects offers opportunities for public clients to influence the behaviour of the construction market including the promotion of H&S through procurement. To date, no study has fully assessed the extent of H&S considerations in procurement decisions for public sector construction projects in Ghana. To fill this gap, this research has provided an evidence-based assessment of H&S considerations in the various stages of the procurement process for public sector projects in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data were collected from construction industry professionals in Ghana. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to evaluate the extent of H&S considerations. The findings suggest that H&S is given low priority in the procurement of public projects, because clear project objectives relating to H&S are not set, and adequate consideration is not given to H&S at the various procurement stages. Based on the findings, this research has made recommendations to promote H&S in public procurement in Ghana.
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Oppong, R. A., and M. Masahudu. "Exploration of building adaptations and retrofitting challenges in Ghana." Structural Survey 32, no. 5 (November 4, 2014): 349–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ss-12-2013-0041.
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Purpose – The Ghanaian banking industry has over the last 20 years witnessed tremendous growth to the extent that rural banks are now expanding their activities into urban centres. Hitherto, rural banks operated in rural and peri-urban areas in Ghana, but nowadays, there is an upsurge of rural banks activities in the urban centres of Ghana; and, they operate from rented premises, most of which are existing buildings in the urban areas. To meet the banking demands and the urban banking competitions such as the introduction of new technologies and regulations, the rural banks endeavour to expand (refurbish) the old/existing buildings with inherent adaptation and retrofitting challenges. Even though, adaptation and retrofit projects may not be popular in Ghana at large scales, this paper through combined methodology of constructive dialogue, case studies and condition survey approaches presents rural banks projects in Ghana as case studies of refurbishment and maintenance to “unearth” and resonate some key challenges of managing adaptation and retrofits in Ghana for future effective projects management solutions during their conception and execution. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Through combined methodology of constructive dialogue, case studies and condition survey approaches this paper presents rural banks projects in Ghana as case studies of refurbishment and maintenance to “unearth” and resonate some key challenges of adaptation and retrofit projects. Findings – The condition survey revealed unprecedented infrastructural drive by rural banks throughout Ghana and their desire to penetrate the urban areas as well. However, this drive unfortunately as it appeared, is not informed and carried out within the confines and dictates of existing legislations in Ghana. Again, it was found that adaptations and retrofitting will improve and integrate the rural banks in the urban economy through prudent project management practices. Research limitations/implications – Availability of local researches and literature on adaptations and retrofitting as project management practices in Ghana. Practical implications – Retrofitting and adaptation projects in Ghana is crucial for project management practices on low-impact building as Ghana faces energy challenges. Social implications – This research brings to bear realistic programme to build capacity of personnel to strategically integrate the rural banks into the central banking system of Ghana as well as project management practices through better and effective monitoring for social, ethical and equity impacts of their project managers. Originality/value – Apparently, adaptation and retrofit projects are not be popular in Ghana at large scales and this is the first time an academic paper of a kind has been written to guide and manage future adaptation and retrofit projects during their conception and execution as well as project management practices in general.
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Kwofie, Titus Ebenezer, Samuel Amos-Abanyie, and Samuel Owusu Afram. "Principal component analysis of professional competencies of architects in the Ghanaian construction industry." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 23, no. 5 (September 19, 2016): 571–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-08-2014-0108.
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Purpose The identification and development of appropriate competencies remain very critical and central to performance measures in mainstream human resource management genre towards effective teams. It is posited as a viable means for validating and engendering best practices and developing suitable competencies towards acceptable performance outcome in construction project delivery. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical professional competencies of an architect in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) towards effective performance in the construction project delivery. Design/methodology/approach From a mixed method design involving semi-structured qualitative interview and a questionnaire survey of architects in Ghana, 16 professional architectural competencies were identified for respondents to indicate their importance to effective architectural practice and consulting in the GCI on a five-point Likert scale. Factor analysis was used to explore the interrelations among the variables and make possible empirical explanations. Findings Factor analysis revealed four underlying clusters named in order of their significance as efficient design response to client needs, legal aspects of practice, sustainable design and construction and efficient project management skills. The study provides insight into the contextual practice, characteristics and the critical professional architectural competencies needed by architects in the construction industry in Ghana. Originality/value The findings have rigorously revealed and provided clear understanding and insight into the thematic critical professional competencies of architects important to the construction industry in Ghana which should be the focus of architectural training and practice. It is also very important towards developing and stimulating a continuous professional development agenda, developing a body of knowledge of professional practice in architecture and conducting curriculum review to meet current emerging competency profiles necessary for influencing performance levels in the GCI.
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Adzroe, Erik, and Bankole Awuzie. "Leveraging e-business technology for construction procurement improvement: Qualitative perspectives from Ghana." International Journal of Construction Supply Chain Management 8, no. 1 (July 31, 2018): 43–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.14424/ijcscm801018-43-59.
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e-Business technology adoption within the Ghanaian construction context has been described as abysmal, particularly among Ghanaian construction micro and small businesses (GCMSBs). Elucidating the salience of e-business technology in engendering construction procurement improvement, this study focuses on the development of capability within GCMSBs to engage with, and benefit from, the adoption of such technologies. The study adopts a qualitative multi-case study research design. Consequently, three (3) projects were selected based on pre-determined case selection criteria. Forty-five (45) interviewees were recruited from the projects and government agencies in a manner suggestive of purposive sampling. Excerpts from the interview sessions were transcribed and subsequently, analysed through thematic analysis. Findings confirmed that the absorptive capability of GCMSBs were indeed at a low level due to inadequate training and education, and; non-investment in capability development. A conceptual model to facilitate the adoption process in GCMSBs was proposed. These findings, as epitomized in the conceptual framework, contribute to the burgeoning discourse on the development of innovative capabilities within Micro and Small businesses in the construction industry in developing economies. Furthermore, this study highlights the positive influence of the adoption of e-business technologies on the capacity and capability of GCSMBs. Such improvements on the part of these firms through the framework will translate into optimal working relationships between them and foreign construction firms working within the local Ghanaian context. And, through such relationships, foster growth within these GCSMBs.
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Asamoah, Richard Oduro, John Solomon Ankrah, Kofi Offei-Nyako, and Ernest Osei Tutu. "Cost Analysis of Precast and Cast-in-Place Concrete Construction for Selected Public Buildings in Ghana." Journal of Construction Engineering 2016 (October 26, 2016): 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8785129.
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The construction industry in Ghana is becoming efficient in the area of cost and achieving advance technologies. The effective management of cost enables clients, developers, and facilitators to achieve value for money. Concrete is a major component in every construction project. The use of precast concrete technology has been embraced by the construction industry in Ghana. This study seeks to analyze cost estimating of the structural frame (column and slab) by considering cast-in-place and precast concrete slabs and columns, respectively. Relative importance and Kendall’s concordance agreement were used to determine the rankings and agreement of advantages of using precast concrete. The study established that precast concrete slabs were on average 23.22% cheaper than the cast-in-place concrete elements and precast columns were averagely 21.4% less than cast-in-place concrete columns. The study established that professionals prefer the use of precast concrete products because of the life cycle cost.
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Boadu, Elijah Frimpong, Cynthia Changxin Wang, and Riza Yosia Sunindijo. "Characteristics of the Construction Industry in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Health and Safety: An Exploratory Study in Ghana." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 11 (June 9, 2020): 4110. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114110.
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From both practical and theoretical perspectives, understanding the health and safety (H&S) implications of the characteristics and foundation upon which the construction industry in developing countries is built and operates is essential for H&S management within the industry. While many studies have provided evidence of factors affecting construction H&S in developing countries, none has fully considered the H&S implications of the industry’s characteristics. The current study thus examined how the peculiar characteristics of the construction industry in developing countries impact on the industry’s H&S management. Data were collected using questionnaire surveys from construction industry professionals in Ghana. Nine distinct characteristics were identified and ranked, as well as their relationships and statistical significance determined through correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA), respectively. The findings showed that these characteristics of the construction industry in developing countries, particularly the lack of skilled and educated workforce, reliance on labour intensive methods and lack of single regulatory authority, present huge challenges to the management of H&S. Accordingly, this research recommended strategic interventions which are tailored towards the context of the industry’s characteristics. With the construction industry in developing countries exhibiting similar characteristics, the findings of this research can serve as a framework for country-specific study. The study contributes to the broader H&S performance improvement research in developing countries by throwing light on the characteristics of the industry that pose challenges to H&S performance.
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Akinradewo, Opeoluwa Israel, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, and Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke. "Improving accuracy of road projects’ estimates in the Ghanaian construction industry." Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction 25, no. 3 (July 29, 2020): 407–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfmpc-11-2019-0087.
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Purpose The inaccuracy of preliminary estimates sometimes results in wasted development effort if the project is abandoned. To curb this menace, this study aims to assess the different measures to improve the accuracy of road project estimates. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design was used for this study, and questionnaire was designed to retrieve data from the target population. Engineers and quantity surveyors in Accra, Ghana formed the target population and were contacted by using an e-questionnaire through their professional bodies owing to location constraints. Descriptive and exploratory factor analyses were used in analysing the retrieved data. Mann–Whitney U non-parametric test was also used to compare the opinions of the respondents. Findings The study revealed that factors categorised as due diligence by estimator should be given more attention for accuracy of estimates to be improved. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to Accra, Ghana owing to time and distance constraint. Practical implications Proper consideration must be given to preliminary site investigation when preparing the estimates for road projects. This will provide the estimator with information on the physical features of the project environment. Originality/value Defined clusters of measures to improve estimate accuracy as highlighted in this study rather than merely ranked variables which are done by previous research studies will set the tone and provide insights for effective stakeholders’ actions. The study also bridges the gap between theory and practice by outlining how the findings can be implemented practically to achieve more accurate preliminary estimate for road projects. With efforts aligned with the core characteristics of each cluster, accuracy can be improved.
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Owusu-Manu, De-Graft, Frank Ato Ghansah, Amos Darko, Richard Ohene Asiedu, and David John Edwards. "Insurable and non-insurable risks in complex project deals: case of the Ghanaian construction industry." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology 18, no. 6 (May 4, 2020): 1971–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-10-2019-0265.
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Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the insurable risks that impacted the operations on complex construction projects in developing countries using Ghana as a case study. Design/methodology/approach In this study, structured questionnaires were used to collect relevant information from the top management of construction and insurance firms in Ghana, comprising 50 industry professionals. The study adopted the χ2 and independent samples’ t test to interpret the responses from participants. Findings The study revealed the major risks that severely impacted the operations on complex construction projects, including strikes and labour disputes, long waiting time for approval of test samples, damages to property during construction, delay in payment to contractor for work done, poor construction method, pressure to deliver project on an accelerated schedule, labour shortage, permits delayed or take longer than expected, inaccurate materials estimating, change in weather pattern, low productivity of subcontractors and inadequate contractor experience. Practical implications The study is expected to contribute to increase in the awareness of the insurable risks and policies that project participants are exposed to, which will serve as a decision-making tool for contract formation. Originality/value This study assists in managing construction and insurance firms to note the major risk in managing a complex construction project. In addition to knowing the major risks identified, the study investigates the insurable risk by managing both construction and insurance firms.
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Yirenkyi-Fianko, Adwoa Boadua, and Nicholas Chileshe. "An analysis of risk management in practice: the case of Ghana’s construction industry." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology 13, no. 2 (May 5, 2015): 240–59. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-04-2012-0021.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of research into the levels of awareness, usage and benefits of risk assessment and management practices (RAMP) within the construction industry in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted through a structured questionnaire administered to 103 construction professionals practising with construction client (private and public), consultant and contractor organisations within the Ghanaian construction industry. The results were analysed to establish the current levels of awareness, usage and perceived benefits of risk management practices. Survey response data were subjected to descriptive statistics; subsequently, ANOVA and other non-parametric tests were used to examine the differences in the levels of agreement of the perceived benefits. Findings – This study illustrates that although the majority of the respondents are aware of RAMP, some professionals found the process not to be formal. Relative to the benefits, there was a disparity in the ranking of agreement scores on two of the eight benefits among the respondents in relation to “product to the required quality” and “reduction in contract claims”. However, they all agreed on “improved team morale” as the most important benefits. Research limitations/implications – The research limitation of the study is that the cross-sectional data made it difficult to generalise the findings. Geographically, only respondents from construction organisations in the Greater Accra Region were considered. However, it is recommended that future work on RAMP be extended to cover all the regions of the country. Practical implications – The findings of the study provide practical for organisations to measure the benefits and capture the awareness of risk management practices through the provision of a framework based on an index and scoring method. This can be used by senior management in assessing the current benefit levels within projects “internal benchmarking” and has potential for external benchmarking purposes. Furthermore, through education and training, both formal and informal process including more information and provision of expertise within RAMP could enhance the levels of awareness. Originality/value – Little is known about the current levels of awareness, usage and benefits of risk management among Ghanaian construction organisations, and this study provides some insights and deepening our understanding on the uptake and perceived benefits of RAMP among construction professions in Ghana. These findings may help construction practitioners in having an increased awareness of risk management practices, and this can further lead to a higher uptake and usage resulting in reaping the advocated benefits of the implementing risk management practices such as achievement of project objectives of time, cost and quality, as well as enhanced decision-making processes.
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Abu, Inusah, and Kenneth Peprah. "Application of Ecological Modernisation in Sand Winning in Building Construction in Tamale, Ghana." Ghana Journal of Development Studies 17, no. 2 (October 23, 2020): 1–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/gjds.v17i2.1.
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Sand is a raw material in the building and construction industry. Its sustainable supply is required to support infrastructure development in emerging cities in Ghana and elsewhere. However, sand is not adequately recognised as building construction foundational material, and is not sufficiently addressed by policy, planning, legislation and institutional management and remains a grey area in mainstream research. The increasing population in Tamale requires shelter which leads to exploitation of more sand. This study assessed sand winning from the periphery to support the core, Tamale. The study adopted crosssectional design with a mixed method approach. It involved a primary target of 200 sand winners and a secondary target of 59 household heads in a multi-stage sampling. Primary data were generated using questionnaire, key informant interview guide and personal observation. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists’ descriptive statistics, central tendencies and cross tabulation with chi square test. The results showed that sand winning was done in six districts outside Tamale Metropolitan Assembly. Sand was winned from riverbeds, river walls and sand deposits. Sand winners preferred the use of manual labour to excavators. Sand winning provided livelihoods for tipper truck drivers and loading boys. Government regulation of the activity is limited and unsatisfactory. There was cordial relationship between sand winners and sand winning communities. It is recommended that government creates an agency to manage sand winning.
Keywords: Sand Winning, Concretisation, Ecological Modernisation, Tipper Truck, Tamale
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Kissi, Ernest, Kofi Agyekum, Bernard Kofi Baiden, Reuben Agyei Tannor, George Effah Asamoah, and Emmanuel Tweneboah Andam. "Impact of project monitoring and evaluation practices on construction project success criteria in Ghana." Built Environment Project and Asset Management 9, no. 3 (July 15, 2019): 364–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/bepam-11-2018-0135.
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Purpose Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of projects is a very important aspect of project execution and management. This is because proper M&E practices have a significant effect on the successful delivery of projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of project M&E practices on construction project success criteria. Design/methodology/approach Structured questionnaires were used to solicit the views of project professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry. The questions were developed through critical review of literature and complemented with a pilot interview on the subject. This paper utilized a partial least square–structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) to establish the impact of project M&E practices (constructs) on project success based on the hypothesis. Findings Results showed that M&E practices had a positive statistical significant relationship with construction project success criteria. In addition, health and safety performance and project scope showed a strong significant relation with M&E practice, implying that, in developing countries, these two main constructs should be given critical attention in achieving project success. Practical implications The findings of this study may be useful to organizations in determining M&E techniques that are relevant and contribute highly to project success. This may go a long way to increase productivity and accelerate the rate of successful project delivery. Originality/value The application of rigorous analysis, PLS–SEM, gives a more reliable information on M&E practices that can ensure successful delivery of construction projects.
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Kissi, Ernest, Theophilus Adjei-Kumi, Edward Badu, and Emmanuel Bannor Boateng. "Factors affecting tender price in the Ghanaian construction industry." Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction 22, no. 3 (November 6, 2017): 252–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfmpc-09-2016-0044.
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Purpose Tender price remains an imperative parameter for clients in deciding whether to invest in a construction project, and it serves as a basis for tender price index (TPI) manipulations. This paper aims to examine the factors affecting tender price in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach Based on the literature review, nine independent constructs and one dependent construct relating to tender pricing were identified. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among quantity surveyors in Ghana. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) examined the influences of various constructs on tender price development (TPD) and the relationships among TPD and TPI. Findings Results showed that cultural attributes, client attributes, contractor attributes; contract procedures and procurement methods; consultant and design team; external factors and market conditions; project attributes; sustainable and technological attributes; and TPI have a positive influence on tender price, whereas fraudulent attributes exert a negative influence. Practical implications The findings offer construction professionals broader understanding of factors that affect tender pricing. The results may be used in professional decision-making in the pricing of construction projects, as they offer clearer causal relations between how each construct will influence pricing. Originality/value This study adds to the body of construction pricing knowledge by establishing the relationships and degree of influences of various factors on tender price. These findings provide a valuable reference for practitioners.
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Oteng, Daniel, Ayirebi Dansoh, and Samuel Frimpong. "Industry environment features influencing construction innovation in a developing country: a case study of four projects in Ghana." International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development 9, no. 1 (2017): 65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijtlid.2017.10003735.
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Amoatey, Charles, and Doreen Danquah. "Analysing project risks in Ghana’s real estate industry." Journal of Facilities Management 16, no. 4 (September 3, 2018): 413–28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfm-10-2017-0054.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse project risks in Ghana’s real estate construction industry in terms of likelihood of occurrence, severity of impact and controllability. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach was used in this study to address the research objective. The study population consisted project managers, architects, surveyors and contractors from 17 members of the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA) in Ghana. Random stratified sampling technique was used to select 97 participants from these firms. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, whereas descriptive statistics were used to present findings. Findings All risks identified have some level of likelihood of occurrence, extent of severity of impact and controllability. Market risks, technical risks and environmental risks are more likely to occur. Market risks, technical risks and environmental risks had the highest severity of impact. Financial risks, market risks, managerial risks and technical risks are the most controllable. Among all risks, environmental risks are the direst because they have high likelihood of occurrence and severity of impact but very low controllability. Real estate construction firms (developers) are therefore expected to prioritize remedy of environmental risks. Research limitations/implications The study is based on self-reported perception of project parties on the likelihood, severity of impact and controllability of real estate project risk factors. Firms outside of GREDA were not included in the survey. Therefore, generalisation of these risk factors for the entire construction industry should be done with caution. Practical implications The research results show that Ghanaian real estate developers are aware of the existence of the risks which impact on the performance of the industry. To effectively and efficiently manage these risk factors, project parties must understand the likelihood of occurrence, severity of impact and controllability of the risk factors, as well as individual firm’s responsibilities and capabilities to manage them. Such knowledge helps project managers to prioritise risks in managing them in the face of scarce resources. From an academic research perspective, the paper contributes to a conceptual risk assessment framework for the real estate industry. Originality/value The paper’s main contributions relate to the introduction of real estate construction sector-specific factors to project risk management modelling.
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Osabutey, Ellis L. C., Karen Williams, and Yaw A. Debrah. "The potential for technology and knowledge transfers between foreign and local firms: A study of the construction industry in Ghana." Journal of World Business 49, no. 4 (October 2014): 560–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2013.12.009.
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Ernest, Kissi, Adjei-Kumi Theophilus, Peter Amoah, and Boateng Bannor Emmanuel. "Identifying key economic indicators influencing tender price index prediction in the building industry: a case study of Ghana." International Journal of Construction Management 19, no. 2 (November 14, 2017): 106–12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2017.1389641.
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Nyameboame, Joseph, and Abubaker Haddud. "Exploring the impact of outsourcing on organizational performance." Journal of Global Operations and Strategic Sourcing 10, no. 3 (November 20, 2017): 362–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jgoss-01-2017-0001.
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Purpose The need for businesses to gain profit through the provision of high-quality services has driven the organizations to outsource business activities and functions that are considered not integral to the core business. The purpose of this paper is to identify key outsourced activities and to explore their influence on the organizational performance of the targeted locally owned oil and gas companies in Ghana. Also, the study explores key benefits and challenges associated with adopting outsourcing strategies. Design/methodology/approach The primary data were collected using a survey from 80 participants working for different oil and gas companies in Ghana. Findings The study revealed that most of the outsourced activities include transport services, information technology (IT) consulting and business consulting services, system infrastructure provision and management and logistical services. Also, key outsourcing reasons were reducing operational costs, avoiding major investment costs in technology, providing consistent and improved service delivery, accessing current technology and expert knowledge and focusing more on core business activities. Outsourcing is significant to enhance the performance of an oil and gas company; however, outsourcing could also result in the conflict of firm culture with outsourced vendors, and inefficient management and loss of innovative capacity are possible negative effects of outsourcing. Research limitations/implications The study targeted mainly locally owned oil and gas companies operating in Greater Accra regions of Ghana and including other areas is recommended in the future. Also, the research sample size was 80 participants for this study, and a larger sample should be used in the future. Originality/value There is a paucity of research in management outsourcing in Ghana’s oil and gas industry. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presents the first research of its kind and the findings will be valuable for the targeted companies. The results from this study can also be used by other companies operating in similar oil and gas business environments operating in other oil and gas producing countries particularly in Africa and Asia. Also, the result from this study can greatly benefit other companies already adopting, or considering adopting, outsourcing and operate in similar service-providing sectors within Ghana or in other countries with similar business environments.
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Agyekum, Kofi, Emmanuel Adinyira, and Godslove Ampratwum. "Factors driving the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana." Smart and Sustainable Built Environment 9, no. 4 (July 29, 2020): 595–613. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/sasbe-02-2019-0017.
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PurposeSustainability has become a topical issue in many countries, with emphasis on green buildings. Though Ghana has recently adopted green buildings, there is lack of its speedy implementation. There is little literature on the adoption of green certification of buildings, especially in a developing country like Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts face-to-face and telephone interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide among ten built environment professionals. Qualitative responses to the interview are thematically analysed using Nvivo 11 Pro analysis application software.FindingsThe findings suggest that “observability of the benefits of green certified buildings”, “commitment of Government to green building initiatives”, “incorporating green certification of buildings into the code of practice of professional bodies”, “green building certification incentives”, “public acknowledgement of the green building concept”, “policies and regulations to enforce the adoption of the concept” and “effective communication and source of information on the concept” are the factors that drive the adoption of green certification of buildings in Ghana.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the understanding of the factors that drive the adoption of green building certification in Ghana. With these findings, stakeholders and industry practitioners can make informed decisions regarding how they can put in place strategies to ensure the effective adoption of green certification of buildings. Though this study was conducted within the context of Ghana, its findings and implications can be useful to policy makers, stakeholders and practitioners in other developing countries.
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Coleman, Emmanuel, Isaac Kwesi Nooni, Samuel Korenteng Fianko, Linka Dadzie, Ebenezer Nickson Neequaye, Jasmine Owusu-Agyemang, and Edna Obuo Ansa-Asare. "Assessing contract management as a strategic tool for achieving quality of work in Ghanaian construction industry." Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction 25, no. 1 (January 2, 2020): 41–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jfmpc-08-2018-0046.
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Purpose This study aims to investigate the attainment of quality in Government of Ghana’s (GoG) infrastructural projects through effective contract management and especially, relating to qualification, competence and experience of supply chain stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach A survey questionnaire and field observations were used to collect primary data from staff of the education ministry and construction professionals. Documentary analyses of contract documents were also undertaken. Findings The results show that executing agencies’ failure to apply appropriate contract management processes was linked to the gap between stakeholders’ knowledge and actual practice. This was confirmed by Spearman’s rho tests of correlation between overall mean ranks given by professionals and non-professionals, which indicated strong agreement between those groups. Factors such as contractors’ engagement of unqualified supervisory staff, lack of proper projects monitoring and evaluation by executing agencies mainly contribute to the poor quality of work. Research limitations/implications Investigations were limited to the Funds and Procurement Management Unit of the Ministry of Education, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and local contractors. Nonetheless, the methodology used could be used in future studies to analyse the socio-economic implications on the quality of education infrastructure. Practical implications Construction is booming in Ghana but the capacity to improve the work quality through effective contract management is limited. However, with the effort of stakeholder and statutory bodies’ support in capacity building initiatives, GoG projects could offer some novel solutions to improve quality of work. Social implications Construction industry professionals and students’ knowledge and perception on construction industry and contract management is significantly improved. Originality/value This study provides information on respondents’ knowledge on contract management process, which, if not properly understood, can lead to poor quality of work and loss of money.
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Elliot, Esi Abbam, Benjamin Ngugi, and Charles A. Malgwi. "Mitigating microfinance marketing channels inefficiencies with customerization of mobile technology." International Marketing Review 35, no. 4 (July 9, 2018): 619–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/imr-11-2015-0256.
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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how technological innovations mitigate inefficiencies in marketing channels in the context of microfinance markets in emerging markets. By examining in detail, specific market inefficiencies that inhibit the efforts of micro and small enterprises to access microfinance in emerging markets and the use of technology to alleviate these failures, the authors bridge the literatures on marketing channel inefficiencies and technological innovation relevant to emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a qualitative method in the form of phenomenological interviews and participant observation in Ghana, West Africa, to investigate the research question. Findings The three themes that arise from the findings are: channel structure and structure selection; power-dependence relationships and relational outcomes; and conflict mechanisms and control behaviors. Customerization of technology is observed to mitigate inefficiencies in mobile marketing channels by facilitating data sharing, reminders, peer referencing and other marketing strategies of awareness, affordability, access and scalability. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study are the fact that the context of the study is only one emerging market country – Ghana. This market is however experiencing dynamic changes in mobile technology innovations that is revolutionizing the microfinance industry. Practical implications Mobile money innovations have advanced the scope of marketing channels to the point that an updated perspective of the role of mobile technology in mitigating marketing channels inefficiency is both appropriate and timely. Originality/value The authors make the contribution of customerization as an aspect of mobile technology that is a key enabler in microfinance marketing channels, serving to mitigate microfinance market inefficiencies. Additionally, the study augments theories on the marketing channels framework by contributing perspectives on mobile technology.
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Shah, Raj Kapur. "An Exploration of Causes for Delay and Cost Overruns In Construction Projects: Case Study of Australia, Malaysia & Ghana." Journal of Advanced College of Engineering and Management 2 (November 29, 2016): 41. http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jacem.v2i0.16097.
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<p>Cost and time overruns are the key problems of any construction projects. These issues are causing the negative impact on the development of country economic growth and prosperity. To overcome these issues, the paper is aimed to discover the most influence factors causing the project delay and cost overruns and recommend the possible measures by investigating case studies in three different countries in the world. Each country’s quantitative data from the past studies was selected to analyze and recommend the effective measures. A questionnaire survey was conducted in all three case studies adopting different data collection strategy. The reason of selecting three case studies is to outline the compare analysis of delay factors and to classify why different delay factors have different priority level of influence in project delay from one country to another country. The findings from the case studies exposed that the most influential factors in Australia are (1) planning and scheduling deficiencies, (2) methods of construction, (3) effective monitoring and feedback process, whereas in Ghana, (1) delay in payment certificates (2) underestimating of project cost, (3) complexity of projects are the most influential factors. However, in Malaysia (1) Contractor’s improper planning, (2) poor site management, (3) inadequate contractor experience are the most influential factors. This paper has also analysed the average and least impact of the delay factors causing project delay and cost overruns in those countries. The paper concludes that there are diverse groups of delay factors from one country to another country that causing project delay and cost overruns. It also concludes that there are diverse measures according to the nature of delay factors to reduce the impact on project delay and cost overruns in construction industry.</p><p><strong>Journal of Advanced College of Engineering and Management</strong>, Vol. 2, 2016, Page: 41-55</p>
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Williams, Justice, Frank Fugar, and Emmanuel Adinyira. "Assessment of health and safety culture maturity in the construction industry in developing economies." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology 18, no. 4 (November 29, 2019): 865–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-06-2019-0151.
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Purpose The degree to which accidents happen or are prevented in any organisation is the function of both the health and safety culture and the safety culture maturity level of the organisation. Therefore, this paper aims to determine the state of health and safety culture in the construction industry in developing economies and to assess their category on the safety maturity ladder using the Ghanaian construction industry as an example. This is to help construction companies in developing countries become conscious of the state of health and safety in the industry so they can be motivated to improve along the ladder. Design/methodology/approach In total, 250 contractors made up of 155 building contractor,s and 95 road contractors took part in the survey. The sample size was determined by Yamane’s (1967) formula with stratified simple random sampling technique adopted in selecting the companies in the survey. This paper also uses (Guttman Scale) Scalogram analysis to measure the state of health and safety culture in the Ghanaian construction industry. Findings The results show that health and safety culture of the Ghanaian construction industry is at the first level, the pathological stage. Even though Ghanaian contractors have health and safety policies and codes of conduct in place, safety is not seen as a key business risk. Consequently, management and most frontline staff do not emphasise the importance of integration of safety measures in the various activities on the site. Thus, safety is not seen as unavoidable and a part of the construction activity. Practical implications The findings of this study inform state authorities, consultants and contractors of areas that they need to focus more on improving health and safety culture in developing countries. This would go a long way in protecting construction workers in the industry. Originality/value This study, to the best of the authors’ current knowledge, is the first of its kind in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study brings to the fore the actual state of health and safety in the construction industry in developing countries such as Ghana. The value of the findings lies in the fact that it will provide the motivation for construction companies in developing countries to develop a commitment to safety, and to provide appropriate and effective safety improvement techniques to progress to the subsequent stages of the safety culture maturity ladder.
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Asante, Joseph, Ernest Kissi, and Edward Badu. "Factorial analysis of capacity-building needs of small- and medium-scale building contractors in developing countries." Benchmarking: An International Journal 25, no. 1 (February 5, 2018): 357–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/bij-07-2016-0117.
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Purpose The needs assessment is the heart of any capacity-building strategy since it determines the design of any intervention, and also helps to prioritise the allocation of resources. Whereas there is a considerable amount of literature on the challenges faced by small- and medium-scale building contractors (SMBCs), very little is known about the needs (support) required by SMBCs. But given the critical role played by SMBCs in the construction industry demands, an understanding of how this sector can be assisted is required. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature relative to capacity building of SMBCs by exploring and examining the needs with the objective to extend the understanding on how to promote and sustain SMBCs to continue their infrastructural delivery at the local and rural areas in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire with five-point Likert scale is administered to 416 respondents, including local government authorities, consultants, first-class contractors and SMBCs using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data generated from the survey are analysed using mean score ranking and principal component analysis, thus enabling the findings of the study to be examined under six thematic areas. Findings The SMCs needs identified include anti-corruption measures, job accessibility, technical and technological assistance, favourable fiscal policy, business development support and financial assistance. The findings of the study bring to the attention of policy makers the critical areas that required support by the assistance of SMBCs. In the interim, the study recommends the extension of business advisory services to the SMBCs by National Board of Small-Scale Industries, whilst in the long term, the government must create the necessary business operating environment to promote SMBCs pertaining to the industrial sector of the economy. The SMBCs must also factor the needs into their business operations that can be addressed from within. Originality/value The study suggests the need of SMBCs in building a robust construction industry in developing countries.
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Oguntona, O. A., C. O. Aigbavboa, and W. D. Thwala. "A SCIENTOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND VISUALIZATION OF GREEN BUILDING RESEARCH IN AFRICA." Journal of Green Building 16, no. 2 (March 1, 2021): 83–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.3992/jgb.16.2.83.
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ABSTRACT Owing to the adverse impact of the architecture, engineering and construction industry on the human and natural environment, the adoption of green building (GB) has been on the rise globally. The significant rise in the number of global research output on GB is a pointer to its proliferation. In this paper, a novel scientometric analysis of GB research in Africa is presented. This study aims to analyze and visualize GB research output in Africa from the millennium development goals (MDGs) era up to the present sustainable development goals (SDGs) era. A quantitative method (science mapping) was employed to analyze the 156 bibliometric records gathered from the Scopus database. An analysis of the dataset reveals that significant contributions to GB research in Africa originate from Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Morocco, Kenya, Mauritius, Ethiopia and Cameroon. This research provides stakeholders in the built environment with the requisite knowledge and understanding of the trend and state of GB research in Africa, which will help in guiding policymaking, research directions and intervention areas in every sector of the economy.
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Asiedu, Richard Ohene, Nana Kena Frempong, and Hans Wilhelm Alfen. "Predicting likelihood of cost overrun in educational projects." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management 24, no. 1 (January 16, 2017): 21–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-06-2015-0103.
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Purpose Being able to predict the likelihood of a project to overrun its cost before the contract signing phase is crucial in developing the required mitigating measures to avert it. Known parameters that permit the timely prediction of cost overrun provide the basis for such predictions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a model for forecasting cost overruns. Design/methodology/approach Ten predictive variables known before the contract signing phase of a project are identified. Based on a survey approach, information on 321 educational projects completed are compiled. A multiple linear regression analysis is adopted for the model development. Findings Five variables – initial contract sum, gross floor area, number of storeys, source of funds and contractors’ financial classification are observed to influence cost overruns. The model, however, yields a fairly weak coefficient of determination with a mean absolute percentage error of 30.22 and 138 per cent, respectively. Research limitations/implications The model developed focussed on data only educational projects sampled from three out of the ten administration regions in Ghana based on a purposive sampling approach. Practical implications Policy makers and construction managers working on public projects stand to gain tremendous assistance in formulating and strengthening their own in-house cost forecasting at the precontract phase based on “what if” analysis to generate various alternative predictions of cost overruns. Originality/value Considering the innate nature of cost overruns within the Ghanaian construction industry often resulting to project abandonment, this research presents a unique dimension for tackling cost overruns based on a predictive approach.
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Pylypchuk, Oleh, Oleh Strelko, and Yuliia Berdnychenko. "PREFACE." History of science and technology 11, no. 1 (June 26, 2021): 7–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.32703/2415-7422-2021-11-1-7-9.
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In the new issue, our scientific journal offers you thirteen scientific articles. As always, we try to offer a wide variety of topics and areas and follow current trends in the history of science and technology. In the article by Olha Chumachenko, оn the basis of a wide base of sources, the article highlights and analyzes the development of research work of aircraft engine companies in Zaporizhzhia during the 1970s. The existence of a single system of functioning of the Zaporizhzhia production association “Motorobudivnyk” (now the Public Joint Stock Company “Motor Sich”) and the Zaporizhzhia Machine-Building Design Bureau “Progress” (now the State Enterprise “Ivchenko – Progress”) has been taken into account. Leonid Griffen and Nadiia Ryzheva present their vision of the essence of technology as a socio-historical phenomenon. The article reveals the authors' vision of the essence of the technology as a sociohistorical phenomenon. It is based on the idea that technology is not only a set of technical devices but a segment of the general system – a society – located between a social medium and its natural surroundings in the form of a peculiar social technosphere, which simultaneously separates and connects them. Definitely the article by Denis Kislov, which examines the period from the end of the XVII century to the beginning of the XIX century, is also of interest, when on the basis of deep philosophical concepts, a new vision of the development of statehood and human values raised. At this time, a certain re-thinking of the management and communication ideas of Antiquity and the Renaissance took place, which outlined the main promising trends in the statehood evolution, which to one degree or another were embodied in practice in the 19th and 20th centuries. A systematic approach and a comparative analysis of the causes and consequences of those years’ achievements for the present and the immediate future of the 21st century served as the methodological basis for a comprehensive review of the studies of that period. The article by Serhii Paliienko is devoted to an exploration of archaeological theory issues at the Institute of archaeology AS UkrSSR in the 1960s. This period is one of the worst studied in the history of Soviet archaeology. But it was the time when in the USSR archaeological researches reached the summit, quantitative methods and methods of natural sciences were applied and interest in theoretical issues had grown in archaeology. Now there are a lot of publications dedicated to theoretical discussions between archaeologists from Leningrad but the same researches about Kyiv scholars are still unknown The legacy of St. Luke in medical science, authors from Greece - this study aims to highlight key elements of the life of Valentyn Feliksovych Voino-Yasenetskyi and his scientific contribution to medicine. Among the scientists of European greatness, who at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries showed interest to the folklore of Galicia (Halychyna) and Galician Ukrainians, contributed to their national and cultural revival, one of the leading places is occupied by the outstanding Ukrainian scientist Ivan Verkhratskyi. He was both naturalist and philologist, as well as folklorist and ethnographer, organizer of scientific work, publisher and popularizer of Ukrainian literature, translator, publicist and famous public figure. I. H. Verkhratskyi was also an outstanding researcher of plants and animals of Eastern Galicia, a connoisseur of insects, especially butterflies, the author of the first school textbooks on natural science written in Ukrainian. A new emerging field that has seen the application of the drone technology is the healthcare sector. Over the years, the health sector has increasingly relied on the device for timely transportation of essential articles across the globe. Since its introduction in health, scholars have attempted to address the impact of drones on healthcare across Africa and the world at large. Among other things, it has been reported by scholars that the device has the ability to overcome the menace of weather constraints, inadequate personnel and inaccessible roads within the healthcare sector. This notwithstanding, data on drones and drone application in Ghana and her healthcare sector in particular appears to be little within the drone literature. Also, little attempt has been made by scholars to highlight the use of drones in African countries. By using a narrative review approach, the current study attempts to address the gap above. By this approach, a thorough literature search was performed to locate and assess scientific materials involving the application of drones in the military field and in the medical systems of Africans and Ghanaians in particular. The paper by Artemii Bernatskyi and Vladyslav Khaskin is devoted to the analysis of the history of the laser creation as one of the greatest technical inventions of the 20th century. This paper focuses on establishing a relation between the periodization of the stages of creation and implementation of certain types of lasers, with their influence on the invention of certain types of equipment and industrial technologies for processing the materials, the development of certain branches of the economy, and scientific-technological progress as a whole. The paper discusses the stages of: invention of the first laser; creation of the first commercial lasers; development of the first applications of lasers in industrial technologies for processing the materials. Special attention is paid to the “patent wars” that accompanied different stages of the creation of lasers. A comparative analysis of the market development for laser technology from the stage of creation to the present has been carried out. Nineteenth-century world exhibitions were platforms to demonstrate technical and technological changes that witnessed the modernization and industrialization of the world. World exhibitions have contributed to the promotion of new inventions and the popularization of already known, as well as the emergence of art objects of world importance. One of the most important world events at the turn of the century was the 1900 World's Fair in Paris. Thus, the author has tried to analyze the participation of representatives of the sugar industry in the World's Fair in 1900 and to define the role of exhibitions as indicators of economic development, to show the importance and influence of private entrepreneurs, especially from Ukraine, on the sugar industry and international contacts. The article by Viktor Verhunov highlights the life and creative path of the outstanding domestic scientist, theorist, methodologist and practitioner of agricultural engineering K. G. Schindler, associated with the formation of agricultural mechanics in Ukraine. The methodological foundation of the research is the principles of historicism, scientific nature and objectivity in reproducing the phenomena of the past based on the complex use of general scientific, special, interdisciplinary methods. For the first time a number of documents from Russian and Ukrainian archives, which reflect some facts of the professional biography of the scientist, were introduced into scientific circulation. The authors from Kremenchuk National University named after Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi presented a fascinating study of a bayonet fragment with severe damages of metal found in the city Kremenchuk (Ukraine) in one of the canals on the outskirts of the city, near the Dnipro River. Theoretical research to study blade weapons of the World War I period and the typology of the bayonets of that period, which made it possible to put forward an assumption about the possible identification of the object as a modified bayonet to the Mauser rifle has been carried out. Metal science expert examination was based on X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to determine the concentration of elements in the sample from the cleaned part of the blade. In the article by Mykola Ruban and Vadym Ponomarenko on the basis of the complex analysis of sources and scientific literature the attempt to investigate historical circumstances of development and construction of shunting electric locomotives at the Dnipropetrovsk electric locomotive plant has been made. The next scientific article continues the series of publications devoted to the assessment of activities of the heads of the Ministry of Railways of the Russian Empire. In this article, the authors have attempted to systematize and analyze historical data on the activities of Klavdii Semyonovych Nemeshaev as the Minister of Railways of the Russian Empire. The article also assesses the development and construction of railway network in the Russian Empire during Nemeshaev's office, in particular, of the Amur Line and Moscow Encircle Railway, as well as the increase in the capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The article discusses K. S. Nemeshaev's contribution to the development of technology and the introduction of a new type of freight steam locomotive for state-owned railways. We hope that everyone will find interesting useful information in the new issue. And, of course, we welcome your new submissions.
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Novieto, Divine Tuinese, and Gladstone Sena Kportufe. "Work-family conflict and project performance of construction professionals in a developing country: testing the mediating–moderating effect of project management self-efficacy." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (July 27, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-01-2021-0074.
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PurposeWork-family conflict (WFC), a common problem in all sectors of every economy, has always been linked to negative consequences for individuals, families and employment organisations. However, owing to contextual and situational differences coupled with inconsistent findings, more studies on WFC are indispensable to disentangle the consequential effects of WFC, especially amongst construction professionals. More so, little is known about the dual role of project management self-efficacy (PMSE) in the WFC-performance relation. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to examine the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE on the WFC-performance nexus amongst construction professionals in a developing economy.Design/methodology/approachData for this study came from a cross-sectional survey (questionnaire) administered to 302 construction professionals in Ghana using convenience sampling technique. And partial least square-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was performed, which included the assessment of measurement and structural models.FindingsThe results of this study support the mediating–moderating model of WFC, in which PMSE simultaneously mediates and moderates the negative influence of WFC on project performance of construction professionals; thus, validating the dual role of PMSE through the lens of Hobfoll's (1989) conservation of resource theory.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected from a conveniently sampled construction professionals in Ghana. Thus, the sampling framework, including only the construction professionals in three regions of Ghana, does not ensure the full generalisation of the results.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study provide significant implication for construction organisations and practitioners. Construction organisations and practitioners seeking to mitigate the negative consequences of WFC on project performance should focus on building on PMSE of the construction professionals. Further, a responsive work environment is needed to cater for family needs of the construction professionals.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to have tested a model including the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE in the construction industry from a developing country perspective. The study, therefore, enriches the prevailing literature from under-represented context by examining the mediating-moderating effects of PMSE on WFC and project performance nexus that has not been previously investigated.
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Gidigah, Brandsford Kwame, Kofi Agyekum, and Bernard K. Baiden. "Defining social value in the public procurement process for works." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (June 7, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-10-2020-0848.
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PurposeThough the Public Procurement Act of Ghana makes room for specific socio-economic policies (environmental, social, economic and other policies which are intended to promote social and economic impact), there is no explicit definition and provision for social value as an evaluation criterion, culminating in the absence of a definition in the Act. This paper elicits the conception and understanding of social value from stakeholders in the Ghanaian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a qualitative method that relied on a semi-structured interview of 30 participants purposively drawn from Western, Western North and Central regions of Ghana. An inductive thematic analysis approach, which involved identifying repetitions, exploring similarities and differences, noting linguistic connectors, and a framework were employed to analyse the data.FindingsThe study established no single definition or explanation for social value in the construction industry in Ghana. However, it was revealed from the study that the concept of social value could be defined from the functional perspective of the definer, particularly from the perspective of a Procurement Officer, Works Engineer, and a Quantity Surveyor. A new insight from the study that differs from the body of literature is that participants equated benefits derived from physically constructed projects as social value.Social implicationsThe study has implication for public administration and practice regarding the decision-making process in the construction industry in Ghana. It provides a vital awakening on social value as a criterion in evaluating construction works procurement in Ghana. The ability of participants to equate the benefits derived from executed construction projects as social value creates a new perspective on understanding the meaning of social value in the procurement of works construction.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the state-of-the-art and ongoing discourse on the concept of social value globally. The findings create an important catalyst for social value research in the Ghanaian construction industry.
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Arthur-Aidoo, Bernard Martin, Nazeem Ansary, and Clinton Aigbavboa. "ASSESSING THE STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS OF THE GHANAIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY." Proceedings of International Structural Engineering and Construction 3, no. 2 (October 2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.14455/isec.res.2016.169.
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Ghana as a developing nation located in the sub-Saharan Africa is characterised by its favourable political atmosphere and stable economy to do business. The country needs infrastructure development in order to satisfy both the economic and social development requirements of its economy. The construction industry, however, is a vital sector of the economy that addresses the socio-economic development needs of every country. This paper, therefore, seeks to assess the strength and weakness of the industry. The study as solely qualitative supported by an extensive review of literature via a desk-top study was embarked which captured the use of existing journal publications, government white papers, and gazette among others. The study revealed that the construction industry in Ghana is an important sector which creates employment which tends to reduce poverty to a larger extent. Also, the collaboration of the construction industry with other sectors do as well increases the gross domestic product of the economy and brings about entire growth in the economy. Similarly, the study revealed that the industry is posed with constraints which are categorised as weakness. These include access to credit facilities, a long span of control, employee management and corruption among others. The study, therefore, recommends the establishment of a construction industry development board that in Ghana to supersede all the activities of the industry in order to promote, maintain a high standard construction industry to the Ghanaian economy and society.
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Boadu, Elijah Frimpong, Cynthia Changxin Wang, and Riza Yosia Sunindijo. "Challenges for Occupational Health and Safety Enforcement in the Construction Industry in Ghana." Construction Economics and Building 21, no. 1 (February 24, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/ajceb.v21i1.7482.
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Many previous studies have reported that the occupational health and safety (OHS) enforcement is poor in developing countries, however these studies have mainly focused on the broader enforcement problems and not fully considered the challenges confronting the institutions responsible for enforcing OHS standards at workplaces. In this study, twelve potential challenges were identified from an extensive literature review, then an empirical investigation was carried out via a questionnaire survey from OHS inspectors and professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry. The twelve challenges were confirmed and ranked. Also, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation were used to determine the statistical significance of the responses and the relationships between the challenges. Based on these findings, this study provides practical strategies for government, OHS inspectors and other professionals within the construction industry to improve the OHS enforcement. The research findings can also be adopted as a basis to assess challenges confronting OHS institutions in other developing countries.
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Agyekum, Kofi, Chris Goodier, and James Anthony Oppon. "Key drivers for green building project financing in Ghana." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (June 29, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-02-2021-0131.
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PurposeThe majority of the literature on green buildings in Ghana focuses on environmental benefits, innovative designs, construction technologies and project management techniques. However, little is known about how such facilities are financed. This issue creates potential knowledge gaps, one of which this study aims to address. This study examines the key drivers for green building project financing in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of eight potential drivers. One hundred and twenty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these drivers from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively (mean, standard deviation and standard error) and via inferential analysis (One Way ANOVA and One-Sample t-Test). These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with ten industry professionals within the Ghana Green Building Council. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.FindingsThough all eight drivers are important, the five key drivers for the Ghanian construction industry were identified as, in order of importance, “high return on investment”, “emerging business opportunity”, “ethical investment”, “conservation of resources” and “mandatory regulations, standards, and policies”. The interviewees agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified drivers for green building project financing from validating the survey's key findings.Research limitations/implicationsKey limitations of this study are the restrictions regarding the geographical location of the collected data (i.e. Kumasi and Accra); timing of the study and sample size (i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult to obtain adequate data).Practical implicationsThough this study was conducted in Ghana, its implications could be useful to researchers, policymakers, stakeholders and practitioners in wider sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, financial institutions can invest in green buildings to expand their green construction and mortgage finance products to build higher value and lower risk portfolios. The findings from this study can provide investors with the enhanced certainty needed to help guide and inform their investment decisions, i.e. what to invest in, and when, by how much and how a scheme being “green” may influence their rate of return. Also, for building developers, it will give them a clearer understanding of the business case for green buildings and how to differentiate themselves in the market to grow their businesses.Originality/valueThis study's findings provide insights into an under-investigated topic in Ghana and offer new and additional information and insights to the current state-of-the-art on the factors that drive green building project financing.
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Agyekum, Kofi, Frank Ato Ghansah, Portia Atswei Tetteh, and Judith Amudjie. "The role of project managers (PMs) in construction health and safety implementation in Ghana." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (July 27, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-04-2020-0122.
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Purpose This study aims to examine the role of project managers (PMs) in construction health and safety in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Purposive sampling technique was used to select licenced PMs in Ghana where data was collected with the use of structured questionnaires. Mean score analysis, Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance, Relative Importance Index and Cronbach’s alpha were used to analyze the data. Findings The study discovered that most PMs on construction firms in Ghana allocate between 1% and 5% of the total project cost to health and safety. According to the study, client satisfaction is the most important parameter to consider in construction project management. Structural frame, method of fixing and edge of materials were the key design activities that caused PMs to make frequent reference to health and safety. It was revealed that PMs refer to health and safety when confronted by all the procurement-related situations. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to the built environment professionals in Ghana. The findings cannot be generalized and extended to other developing countries; however, it could serve as a lesson to them. Practical implications The findings of the study are anticipated to provide information about the critical role of PMs in promoting health and safety throughout the project life cycle. Originality/value The novelty of the study sought to delve into the complex nature of construction to identify the role of PMs in relation to the health and safety practices in the construction industry.
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Amuna, Donald N., Zarouk A. Imoro, Samuel J. Cobbina, and Samuel A. Ofori. "Waste Management Practices of Construction Companies at the Airport Hills and Sakumono Areas in Accra, Ghana." Rwanda Journal of Engineering, Science, Technology and Environment 4, no. 1 (July 14, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/rjeste.v4i1.14.
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Waste generated in the construction industry is a major environmental problem but its research is rather limited. Thus, this research was conducted to assess the waste disposal practices of construction companies at the Airport Hills and Sakumono areas in Accra, Ghana. These areas were chosen because of the increasing and fast development of housing projects there. A convenience sampling technique was used in choosing the companies to achieve the research goal. Questionnaires and field observations were used to gather information about the construction companies and their waste management practices. Forty construction companies were identified in both study areas. Majority of the companies recorded a total of 60-80 cubic meters of material waste per month. Eleven companies stated amounts of between USD 250 - 350 as cost of material waste management per month. Several reusable materials were identified at construction sites. Twenty-six companies practised sorting and recovery of waste before final disposal. It was revealed that there was no statistically significant relationship between the educational levels of waste management teams of the construction companies and their practice of proper waste management methods. A significant relationship however existed between the educational level of waste management teams and their use of waste management plans. It is recommended that waste management training programmes are developed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana for construction companies to curb the problem of poor construction waste management.
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Boamah, Fredrick Ahenkora, Jianhua Zhang, Dandan Wen, Mrs Sherani, Adil Hayat, and Oleksandra Horbanenko. "Enablers of knowledge management: practical research-based in the construction industry." International Journal of Innovation Science ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (August 5, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijis-09-2020-0142.
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Purpose To effectively implement knowledge management, one prerequisite is to understand and implement the knowledge management enablers in the sense of optimal institutional efficiency. This paper aims to analyze and measure the significant enablers in overseeing knowledge management in the construction sector. Design/methodology/approach The mixed-method technique was used to achieve the objective of this study and involved the application of detailed questions to project engineers and project managers within leading construction engineering companies, provided by the Institution of Engineering and Technology Ghana. In total, 150 questionnaires were collected and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences v. 26. Findings The study confirms that the knowledge management enablers such as employees knowledge, motivations, effective decisions and strategic planning are some of the important ways in which construction professionals can achieve different strategic goals in many processes and concluded that the progress of the next generation knowledge management strategy will be based on content sharing, decision-making and by promoting the free flow of ideas. Originality/value The study offers perspectives into knowledge management enablers and recommends key performance factors, championed by Ghanaian construction contractors for institutional knowledge capture.
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Kissi, Ernest, Kofi Agyekum, Theophilus Adjei-Kumi, Debrah Caleb, and Ekow Donkor Micheal. "Exploring the influence of religious elements on performance factors in developing countries: a case of the Ghanaian construction industry." International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (August 18, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijppm-11-2019-0546.
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PurposeReligiousness is evident in every aspect of life, and its impact on construction project performance is undeniable. However, little has been done to fully understand the influences one's religiosity has on performance factors. This paper aims to explore the influence of religious elements on performance factors in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI).Design/methodology/approachUsing a desk survey and closed-ended questionnaire, data were obtained from the three religious' bodies (Christianity, Islamic and Traditionalist) in Ghana. The analysis of the collected data was done using mean score ranking and regression analysis.FindingsIt was revealed that most of the religious bodies were aware of the presence of the seven factors identified for measuring construction project performance. The findings suggested that there was a significant and positive relationship between the religious elements (of all the three religions) and cost as well as schedule performance. Islam recorded the highest relationship in influencing public construction project performance relative to cost performances. Specifically, 1% increase in Islamic elements accounted for an 82.7% increase in cost performance. Traditionalists and the Christian religion had minimal significance in influencing cost performance. Furthermore, a 1% progress in Islamic elements accounted for a 45.8% increase in the schedule performance of construction projects and among construction professionals.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has provided better understanding of the religious views on project performance. This research has also provided pragmatic directions to project stakeholders to encourage religious groups to take critical look at the other performance factors that were seen not to be significant.Originality/valueThis paper represents a novel attempt to measure the influence of religious elements on project performance factors in the construction industry. A key contribution to the body of knowledge is that the study has proven that religious element has tendencies to influence cost performance and schedule performance in the construction industry.
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Fordjour, Genevieve Ataa, Albert PC Chan, and Louis Tuffour Kwarteng Kwarteng. "Factors Associated With Effective Implementation of Psychological Health Interventions in the Construction Industry." Journal of Civil Engineering Research & Technology, June 30, 2020, 1–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.47363/jcert/2020(2)105.
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The staggering social and economic costs associated with psychological ill-being conditions among workers require efforts to mitigate its causes and effects through evidence-based psychological health interventions. However, such interventions in the workplace are not without challenges and obstacles. The purpose of the study is to identify influential factors associated with effective implementation of psychological health interventions in the construction industry. This study adopted the mixed-methods approach employing in sequence the methods of qualitative and quantitative research to achieve the aim of the study. A total of 53 interviews and 264 questionnaire surveys were conducted in Ghana with construction professionals, construction trade workers, regulatory personnel, and occupational health psychologist. The qualitative study revealed 18 influential factors associated with the implementation of psychological health interventions. These findings were confirmed by the quantitative survey to be statistically significant. A comparative analysis of the responses from the three groups of respondents showed some statistically significant differences in the ratings of the influential factors, which may be due to the group’s interest and diversity. The highly influential factors revealed in the quantitative study included willingness of employees to cooperate with the intervention procedures, perceptions on the benefits of the psychological health interventions, impact of stigmatization and discrimination, level of awareness on indicators of psychological health conditions, cost of implementing the intervention and extent of management commitment and support. This study offers valuable information for construction stakeholders and policymakers on factors to consider for successful psychological health management and interventions in the construction industry
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Owusu-Manu, De-Graft, Caleb Debrah, Eric Oduro-Ofori, David John Edwards, and Prince Antwi-Afari. "Attributable indicators for measuring the level of greenness of cities in developing countries: lessons from Ghana." Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (September 7, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jedt-06-2020-0257.
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Purpose The advances in green city growth are widely discussed in extant literature. The benefits of green cities to urban development in recent discussions of sustainability and sustainable development are well documented and cannot be overemphasised. Although a growing study on green building development in developing countries has been advanced in literature, there is a paucity of studies that explore green cities in developing countries. Moreover, evidence of studies that have focussed on green cities development in Ghana is lacking. Because of this identified knowledge gap, the purpose of this study is to establish the indicators/attributes for measuring the level of greenness of cities in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the indicators/attributes for measuring the level of greenness of cities in developing countries. This study has adopted the pragmatism as its undergirding research philosophy and the deductive research approach. In terms of methodological choice, quantitative research strategy was used to collect data from experts in sustainable urban development. The primary data retrieved from this study was analysed using descriptive statistics, relative importance index and one-sample t-test. The reliability and validity of this study were measured with the Cronbach’s alpha test. Findings This study established eight indicators for measuring green city development: air quality, water, sanitation, land use, health and safety, transportation, energy and building and construction. It was discovered that the development of green cities should enhance air quality, improve water production and supply, improve management in sanitation, promote mixed and integrative land use, maintain the health and safety of city dwellers, reduce the demand for transportation and formalise public transport, adopt renewable and efficient energy technologies and promote sustainable construction and green buildings. These indicators are key to policymaking and implementation of green cities development. Research limitations/implications This study focusses primarily on Ghana; however, the findings of this study do not limit the generalisability, as it can be used as an example for other developing countries. Practical implications Theoretically, this study adopted quantitative indicators that are reproducible in another geographical context. This study contributively adds to the discourse on sustainability, especially in Ghana, and can be a source of reference to motivate others to conduct further research in related areas. The outcomes of this study will help the local government, policymakers, city stakeholders and industry expertise to gain insights of the overall indicators that underpin green city development. Originality/value This paper attempts to posit in literature the foremost appraisal of green city indicators adaptive in Ghana, which could motivate other developing countries to develop their own green cities.
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Agyekum, Kofi, Seth Yeboah Botchway, Emmanuel Adinyira, and Alex Opoku. "Environmental performance indicators for assessing sustainability of projects in the Ghanaian construction industry." Smart and Sustainable Built Environment ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (May 28, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/sasbe-11-2020-0161.
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PurposeRecent reports based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have revealed that no country is in line with achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, with the slowest progress being witnessed mainly on goals that are focused on the environment. This study examines environmental performance indicators for assessing the sustainability of building projects.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses an explanatory sequential design with an initial quantitative instrument phase, followed by a qualitative data collection phase. An extensive critical comparative review of the literature resulted in the identification of ten environmental sustainability indicators. One hundred and sixty-seven questionnaire responses based upon these indicators from the Ghanaian construction industry were received. Data were coded with SPSS v22, analysed descriptively, and via inferential analysis. These data were then validated through semi-structured interviews with six interviewees who are fellows of their respective professional bodies, a senior academic (professor in construction project delivery) and a government official. Data obtained from the semi-structured validation interviews were analysed through the side-by-side comparison of the qualitative data with the quantitative data.FindingsThe findings from the study suggest that all the indicators were important in assessing building projects' environmental sustainability across the entire life cycle. Key among the identified indicators is the effects of the project on “water quality, air quality, energy use and conservation, and environmental compliance and management”. The interviewees further agreed to and confirmed the importance of these identified indicators for assessing the environmental sustainability of building projects in Ghana.Originality/valueCompared to existing studies, this study adopts the exploratory sequential design to identify and examine the critical indicators in assessing the environmental sustainability across the entire lifecycle of building projects in a typical developing country setting, i.e. Ghana. It reveals areas of prime concern in the drive to place the local construction industry on a trajectory towards achieving environmental sustainability.
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Owusu-Manu, De-Graft, Caleb Debrah, Lydia Amissah, David J. Edwards, and Nicholas Chileshe. "Exploring the linkages between project managers' mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the Ghanaian construction industry." Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management ahead-of-print, ahead-of-print (October 28, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ecam-03-2020-0149.
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PurposeLeadership encapsulates a process of influencing others to understand what needs to be done and how it can be done. The related area of mindset behaviour which moderates leadership styles adopted in various industries has hitherto received scant academic attention in a construction context. This paper thus explores the linkages between project manager's mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachLiterature reviewed provides the basis for a questionnaire data collection instrument developed to gather primary data from construction professionals in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). A quantitative research strategy was then adopted using the Relative Importance Index (RII) to determine the level of significance of the leadership and mindset archetypes. A Pearson's correlation test was run to ascertain whether the mindset behaviour of project managers has a significant impact upon the type of leadership style.FindingsThe study's results indicate that democratic, transformational and situational leadership styles were prevalent leadership styles in the GCI. The analysis also revealed that project managers favoured the “growth mindset”. Furthermore this style had a moderate positive relationship with democratic and transformational leadership styles. Conversely, a fixed mindset had a low positive relationship with autocratic and situational leadership styles but a low negative relationship with transformational leadership style.Research limitations/implicationsThis research provides sufficient data for project managers to identify the type of mindset to nurture (the growth mindset is recommended) and the effective leadership style to be employed. This study engenders wider discussion on mindset behaviour and project leadership style in developing countries. Moreover, the findings present policymakers and practitioners with the leadership styles to promote and develop (democratic, transformational and situational) and mindset behaviour (growth mindset) to ensure project success in Ghana and other developing countries.Originality/valueThis research represents the first comprehensive study appraising the linkages between project managers’ mindset behaviour and project leadership style in the construction industry. Empirical data presented bridge the identified knowledge gap that exists on the lack of theoretical understanding of the influence that project managers' mindset has on leadership styles in the GCI.
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Windapo, Abimbola. "Editorial." Journal of Construction Business and Management 4, no. 2 (February 7, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.15641/jcbm.4.2.1050.
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Welcome to the eight-issue of the Journal of Construction Business and Management. This edition of the journal presents scholarly discussions on theoretical and empirical challenges confronting best practices and policies in construction businesses and projects. The intention is to understand the practice and theoretical lens used in its explanation or interpretation. This edition of the journal covers the following subjects: subcontracting processes, contingency management, social license, risk measurement, project success, quality process implementation and competitive advantage. The issue contains five articles written by eight scholars based in Ghana, India, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The first paper by Akinwale and Olusanya (2020) examines subcontracting processes' influence on wages and workloads in the construction industry. The study found that subcontracting processes significantly influenced workers’ participation in wage determination and workloads. The findings suggest that working in a subcontracting system alienates subcontracted workers from the determination of wages and workloads and thereby showing the need for adequate protection for these workers. The second paper by Maniar (2020) evaluates the current state, the issues faced in contingency management and its effectiveness in curbing cost overruns. It seems inevitable that contingency management could impact cost overrun problems. Not so reveals the study results, which shows that contingency considerations were only useful in accommodating cost overrun problems in 18% of projects studied. Based on these findings, the study recommends that contingency be estimated based on the scientific approach to addressing project risks instead of the commonly used subjective approach.
Perhaps the most compelling argument is why a construction company must acquire regulatory permits that embrace all stakeholders before a construction project is approved as outlined in Danku (2020). The paper highlights that not all formal processes embrace all stakeholders such as the hosting community who need to consent to a firm’s activities to complete the symbiotic relationship. The study found a limited understanding and restricted application of the concept of social licence – the commitment of residents towards acceptance, approval and support for a project to exist within a community, by construction professionals. The paper recommends industry sensitization and education to harness a company's benefits from acquiring a social licence. The fourth paper by Renault, Agumba and Ansary (2020) examines the influence of risk management on the project success of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Results reveal that risk management significantly influences construction SMEs' project success by delimiting the risk management criteria to be adopted, establishing the level of acceptable risk and risk timeframe relevant to risk effect and risk likelihood. The paper recommends that the management of SMEs and construction industry professionals adopt risk management to manage their project risks to accomplish project objectives effectively.
Although it is generally accepted that construction quality process implementation improves construction project performance, there is limited research into the factors affecting the quality of the road infrastructure projects produced by SMEs. The fifth paper by Nyakala (2020) investigates these factors. The study established that five construction quality process factors affect the quality of road infrastructure projects undertaken by construction SMEs. These factors comprise construction process and design; construction quality management at the site level; the development and implementation of quality procedures and requirements; quality benchmarking; continuous improvement and communication. The results provide a guideline for the successful construction quality implementation by designers/consultants and managers in the construction SME sector. It helps establish the factors affecting road infrastructure projects' quality and a benchmark for competitive advantage.
Overall, these articles should spark debate and force professionals, researchers and policymakers to think differently about the construction project and business performance while inspiring new practices. I acknowledge all authors who submitted papers for consideration. I also value the contributions and unrelenting efforts of the JCBM editorial board members and panel of reviewers in ensuring that manuscripts are of high quality and keeping the journal on the path to attaining the expected standard and quality. Criticisms, feedback and suggestions are welcome from readers on how to improve the quality of the journal.
References:
Akinwale, A. A., & Olusanya, O. A. (2020). Influence of Subcontracting Processes on Wages and Workloads in the Building Construction Industry in Nigeria. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), 1-10.
Maniar, H. (2020). Contingency Management in Indian Construction Projects. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), 11-24.
Danku, J. C. (2020). Exploring the Concept of Social Licence in the Construction Industry of a Developing Country. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), 25-33.
Renault, B. Y., Agumba, J. N., & Ansary, N. (2020). Correlation analysis between risk measurement and project success of small and medium contractors in Gauteng, South Africa. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), 34-45.
Nyakala, S. K. (2020). Construction quality process implementation as a source of competitive advantage in small and medium-sized construction projects. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 4(2), 46-54.
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Anh, Nguyen Hoang, and Hoang Bao Tram. "Policy Implications to Improve the Business Environment to Encourage Female Entrepreneurship in the North of Vietnam." VNU Journal of Science: Economics and Business 33, no. 5E (December 28, 2017). http://dx.doi.org/10.25073/2588-1108/vnueab.4078.
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Abstract: Nowadays, Vietnamese women are participating actively in parts of the economy that were previously deemed male domain. Women are involved in business activities at all levels in Vietnam, making significant contributions to the economic development of the country. By December 2011, there were 81,226 small and medium enterprises headed by women, accounting for 25% of the total number of enterprises in the country (GSO, 2013). In Vietnam, despite recent economic development, socio-cultural and legal barriers are still very difficult for women since the general perception in society is that a woman’s main duty is to be a good housewife and mother and they are also often perceived as weak, passive and irrational (VWEC, 2007). Even though the studies related to women entrepreneurship development are quite extensive, amongst them only a limited number of researches on the role of legal and socio - cultural barriers on women entrepreneurs in the context of Vietnam have been investigated. Thus, supported by the World Trade Institute (WTI) in Bern, Switzerland, the researchers have chosen this as the subject of this study. Based on a quantitative survey of 110 companies in Hanoi and adjacent areas, the research has taken legal and socio - cultural barriers and explored their effect on the development of women entrepreneurship in the context of Vietnam in order to indicate how women entrepreneurs perceive the impact of socio-cultural factors, economic impacts, and policy reforms on their entrepreneurial situations and initiatives, and to then provide policy implications for promoting women’s entrepreneurship and gender equality in Vietnam.
Keywords
Entrepreneurship, female entrepreneurs, gender equality, Vietnam
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