An Evaluation of Stakeholder Management Role in GETFund Polytechnics Projects Delivery in Ghana

Construction projects are undertaken to achieve specific goals and the success of it is measured by the realization of the set goals including stakeholder satisfaction. Several stakeholders are involved in construction projects and depending on the nature, complexity, procurement method adopted; stakeholders are involved at different stages of the project undertaking different roles and responsibilities. These stakeholders with varying stake influence and power, plays major roles in the success or failure of the project. Stakeholder Management is therefore essential if project goals are to be achieved. The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) is a key stakeholder established to provide and maintain educational infrastructure but has failed to achieve its objectives. Several projects have failed and stakeholders are dissatisfied. This study explores the role of Stakeholder Management in GETFund projects delivery. A mixed method approach of qualitative and quantitative surveys using semi-structured interviews and questionnaire was adopted. Research findings were analyzed using triangulation and descriptive analysis methods to evaluate the role of SM in project delivery. SM plays major role in project time, cost overruns, scope variation, non-completion, abandonment and poor payment schedules through poor SM process consideration and records keeping. Respondents agree that SM role should be considered during project planning, development and execution stages using SM framework. Keywords: Evaluation, GETFund, Project Delivery, Role, Stakeholder Managemen

The Use of Mobile Construction Applications in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

There exist several construction applications (Apps) used on mobile phones or tablets within the construction industry, yet there is a gap between technology design and technology use in the Ghanaian construction industry. The aim of this study is to find out the use of construction apps in the Ghanaian construction industry. The objectives were to find out the awareness of the use of construction apps and to evaluate the construction apps used in the Ghanaian construction industry. An extensive literature review was conducted to identify the construction applications available in the construction industry and were group under 5 main headings; namely, estimation, calculators, CAD, construction site and project management Apps. Field survey of Sixty-Two registered building and civil contractors in Ashanti Region was conducted. Questionnaires were distributed to top management team of the firms with a response rate of 89%. Data obtained were analysed with descriptive statistics techniques. The results show that majority were not aware of the use of construction apps by 58% of the respondents yet most use android phones or tablets that support Apps. However, the topmost applications normally used were site photos, microsoft, spirit level, material estimator calculator, AutoCAD WS, Construction Master Pro, Universal Estimator, AndCAD, Carpenter’s Calculator, and painting estimator. It is however important that tertiary educational institutions pursuing construction related programmes should from time to time educate the young construction engineers about the modern and importance of the usage of these construction apps to enhance efficiency in their operations. Keywords: construction Apps, contractors, construction industry, mobile phones, Ghana

Stakeholders’ and sustainability considerations for mega infrastructure projects : a case of Accra airport city project, Ghana

Abstract: Studies have revealed that stakeholder management and sustainable principles consideration are essentials for mega construction project success. The aim of this paper was necessitated by the fact that though there is stakeholder dissatisfaction and lack of studies on the sustainability of the Aiport City Project (ACP) Accra, there is a proposal for second phase development. This paper evaluates stakeholders’ and sustainability measures considered for the ACP’s long term sustainability. A mixed method approach and purposive sampling was adopted. The 70% quantitative survey response rate was validated using six (6) semi-structured interviews and data analysed using a descriptive survey method. Key findings indicate that peer review of designs, project stakeholder meetings, project approval in principles and development monitoring were the measures instituted for stakeholder and sustainability considerations rather than the entire stakeholder management process. The research concludes that the ACP is only medium term sustainable due to low level stakeholder consideration, services infrastructure development, high vehicular traffic congestion, high rental values, socio-economic and cultural factors which are challenges for long term project sustainability

Development of a sustainable stakeholder management framework for construction projects in Ghana

D.Phil. (Engineering Management)Abstract: The construction industry’s role in the infrastructure development and other sectors of the economy in developing countries is well acknowledged for its importance. Moreover, the need for an accelerated growth has led to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) and currently the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) for public-sector projects. Nevertheless, the diverse stakeholders involved in project development coupled with the high rate of public-sector project failure has made it receive negative public attention. Efforts by project managers to use the project management hard skills to improve project delivery have failed. However, the use of innovative stakeholder management (SM) soft skill approach has been embraced in developed countries to enhance stakeholder management success and project delivery. The identified challenge is the factors that need to be considered by project managers and a formal model to be used in Ghana as a developing country. The main aim of this study was to develop a sustainable stakeholder management framework for project SM success and enhanced project delivery. A Mixed-Method research approach was employed using a literature review and qualitative Delphi survey to explore key constructs and measurement variables. Twelve out of the Twenty experts purposively sampled from the industry using eight-factor criteria initially agreed to participate in the study. However, ten experts participated in the three-rounds Delphi survey that identified eighty-one measured variables. The variables were categorised into critical success factors CSF (59) barrier factors CBF (8) and SM output (14). Also, identified were six exogenous critical success factors and one endogenous SM success construct. The study identified SSM as a six-factor model defined by the exogenous factors of pre-stakeholder identification; stakeholder identification; stakeholder assessment; stakeholder engagement; conflict resolution; implementation, monitoring and feedback. Also identified is the direct effect of external environment (CBF) on SSM success. A quantitative questionnaire survey involving 350 purposively sampled industry participants was conducted. The 289-valid returned questionnaire constituted 82.5% response rate. Using an SPSS 16.0 for data entry, a Pre-CFA PC Varimax test was used to examine the validity and reliability of the measured variables and latent constructs. All the exogenous constructs (CSF and CBF) met the data internal consistency pre-set thresholds. Furthermore, a CFA test was conducted using a robust analytical structural equation modeling SEM IBM SPSS AMOS 22 for model fit..