Capacity building in emerging economies through international construction ventures-case study of the NMPP project

Although International Construction Joint Venture (ICJV) projects are believed to be beneficial with regard to aiding capacity building in the local construction industry, it is still debatable, whether such skills and technology transfer effectively occurs in the hosting companies in emerging economies. Substantial research on technology and skills transfer from developed country construction companies to emerging counterparts reveals worrying trends. South African construction companies are therefore not immune to these undesirable trends. Three main issues are dealt with in this paper: whether foreign partnering company have knowledge and technology that the local partner is lacking; how international construction joint venture projects are structured at delivery stage; and what are the key strategic elements of expertise transfer in an international construction joint venture project relating to organisational structure. The study used case studies to identify, analyze and establish the relationship between interaction in the work place and collaboration in job tasks. Finally, the paper proposes a conceptual project delivery structure that can accelerate the transfer of expertise in the South African Construction Industry (SACI)

Strategies for improving construction craftspeople apprenticeship training programme: Evidence from the UK

This study seeks to address two research questions: (i) what are the factors responsible for the non-completion of the craftspeople apprentice training programmes? and (ii) how can the non-completion of construction craftspeople apprenticeship programmes be improved? Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders involved apprenticeship in the UK. The finding reveals that multiplicity of factors contribute to the non-completion of craftspeople apprenticeship. The study reveals that ’underestimation of the apprentice programme’, ’poor career guidance’ and inappropriate placement’ have not been previously mentioned in literature as factors responsible for the non-completion. Also, it was found that ‘improvements in recruitment methods’ and ‘improvements in learner's experiences during apprenticeship’ are vital strategies for improving completion rates of craftspeople apprenticeships. By understanding these strategies, the construction sector would have a better chance of attracting and training a young workforce to meet its future needs. Young workforce is vital for improving productivity and organisational sustainability in the construction sector. The research contributes to the current body of knowledge by providing an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced in craftspeople apprenticeship training and how to improve its outcome

Modelling Client's Value for Money Uncertainties in PFI Projects

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Comparing value for money in healthcare and transport PFI projects

New research identifies and compares the main factors that complicate PFI projects in the UK healthcare and transport sectors. The findings cast light on the fundamentals of the public-private procurement dynamic just as PFI comes under review in the UK

De-marginalising the public in PPP projects through multi-stakeholders management

Purpose: This paper takes a critical look at the process of multi-stakeholder consultation and management in a PPP project environment and attempts to fill gaps in the existing literature. It considers the various problems encountered on PPP initiatives around the world that have eventually led to public opposition and failure of some PPP projects. The paper tackles two interconnected aspects: definition of the principal project stakeholder (PPS) and the management of the principal project stakeholder (MPPS), as a multi-stakeholder. Design/methodology/approach: The paper critically analyses the existing theory and practice on project stakeholder management through case studies and other sources and establishes the uniqueness of a PPP project environment, which influences PPP multi-stakeholder management approaches. Findings: the paper highlights current tensions and public protests across Africa, North and South America, Australasia and Europe around PPP projects, which seem to be centred on public stakeholders’ marginalisation. It finds that the public outcry across continents is characterised by a marginalised public who are crying out for full information on the more widely used PPP projects. Social/Practical implications: The paper advocates for a paradigm shift by accepting multi-stakeholding as central to PPP project management. The paper proposes a multi-stakeholder management model, which will move the public from the margins of the PPP project space to the centre where fundamental decisions are made from conception to facility ownership and operation. Originality/value: The paper takes a pragmatic approach to the problem of exclusion of the public in PPP projects. The paper is one of few publications in the PPP literature that bring the public to the centre of PPP project processes

De-marginalising the public in PPP projects through multi-stakeholders management

Various problems have been encountered on PPP initiatives around the world that have eventually led to PPP projects failures. Public opposition due to various factors has been reported as the main reason for failure in several instances. A significant number of these factors point to two interconnected aspects: definition of the principal project stakeholder (PPS) and the management of the principal project stakeholder (MPPS), as a multi-stakeholder. Current literature on the management of project stakeholders has focused on the implementation phase which involves the private sector while the public as the principal stakeholders remain marginalised. This paper focuses on the latter aspect and takes a critical look at the process of multi-stakeholder consultation and management in a PPP project environment. The paper advocates for a paradigm shift in PPP stakeholder management and provides a conceptual model for appropriate stakeholder management in PPP projects

Mediation in construction disputes in England

Purpose: Adjudication was introduced to the English Construction Industry in 1996 in response to its litigious nature. At the time adjudication aimed to provide a time-efficient, cost-effective solution to construction disputes. The industry is concerned that adjudication is not always providing the expected benefits due to increasing cost, the length of time it takes to resolve disputes and the difficulty in maintaining good relationships between the parties in dispute. Mediation is recommended here as a most desirable approach to resolving disputes without affecting the relationship between the parties. However, the benefits of mediation have not been fully appreciated by all due to slow uptake. Methods: This paper presents results from a study that investigated issues preventing greater use of mediation. The study involved 20 case studies of previous dispute resolutions, 10 in-depth interviews and 357 responses to a structured questionnaire survey involving the English construction industry. Findings: The research found a limited detailed awareness of mediation within the English construction industry due to a lack of detailed knowledge among industrial stakeholders and a lack of emphasis from construction contracts. The study revealed that there is strong support for adjudication; however the majority of those with experience of adjudication would prefer to use mediation as the first step in resolving disputes. Originality: This research identifies the support required for mediation and its preference among those with and without prior knowledge of both adjudication and mediation for the English construction industry. The paper provides an insight into barriers that need to be addressed to increase use of mediation