111 research outputs found
Optimising construction project role-player performance
Authors predict major changes in the requirements to manage complex environments in the 21st century. These 21st century challenges, for Project Managers (PM) in the construction industry, are evident through the ongoing perception that the industry performance record is suboptimal. In the pursuit of performance optimisation, management disciplines developed and implemented theories and models not only to achieve what is required, but also to excel and create high-performing teams. In search of project success, researchers have also identified quantifiable variables, models, success factors and other related issues. The PM’s role in the attainment of success has also been widely researched, especially the impact, influence, methods and tools related to the discipline. Nevertheless, the general concern remains, that the performance of the industry is suboptimal. This study therefore aimed to qualitatively evaluate and examine the various factors and influences on performance of a construction project team. This research applies to the motivation and environmental factors influencing project teams in the achievement of optimum performance; and in doing so, to enhance the performance of project-role players; while adding disciplinespecific theory. This study has employed in-depth interview data, which were thematically analysed. The interviews were conducted in a case-study design comprising four projects in South Africa. The study concluded by emphasising the importance of how role-players RELATE to each other, and LOVE project challenges. It further noted that PMs who are MANAGING LEADERS would be most influential in the project environment; while PROCUREMENT greatly influences the project environment. Relational issues are important to role-players; and they act as MOTIVATORS, with certain issues in a project presenting both performance BARRIERS and DRIVER capabilities. Finally, project MOMENTUM changes constantly, with the current momentum direction influencing the future course thereof. In meeting the aims of the research, a Performance Optimisation Framework was developed, noting how the emergent themes co-exist in optimal performance environments. The study also developed the Project Husbandry approach, reflecting on a caring, nurturing, diligent and mature approach when managing role-players. The study recommends that the themes impacting the project-operating environment should be influenced by management and leadership, in order to optimise the performance of all the role-players involved
The influence of project management service provision on role-players within the South African construction industry
The legitimate existence of the Project Management Profession in the South African construction industry needs to relate to positive project influence on the industry roleplayers. This study assessed the perceived lack of recognition and acceptance of Project Management as a stand-alone profession relating to: · Appointments of Project Managers being questioned due to a perceived lack of influence and impact on project success. · Project Managers not being recognised as an integral part of the industry. · Project Management not being perceived as having a unique and defined function. Interviews were held with 23 industry role-players made up of clients, contractors and consultants. The interviews solicited input on the role-players’ perception and experience related to the influence of Project Management over the past 10 years, not only on a list of success criteria relative to their own role in the industry, but also their perception of the influence on the other defined role-player groups. Included in the interview questionnaire was also a range of general questions to refine the feedback and further test the hypotheses. The data were interpreted and analysed by comparing the feedback of the respondents as a combination and separately as groups. The results of the study indicate that: · Project Management could be seen as a legitimate part of the industry; · The industry role-players perceive Project Management as making an impact and having a growing influence on the industry; A specific but broad set of skills are required by Project Managers; · The Project Management function cannot be fulfilled by other consultants, but there are project related criteria which should be considered before making a final judgment. These criteria relate to project size and complexity; and · Project Management is currently perceived to be more related to a specific person’s skill than to a specific profession. The study’s aim was to influence and inform the views of industry role-players on the appointment of a Project Manager in the construction industry
The influence of project management service provision on role-players within the South African construction industry
The legitimate existence of the Project Management Profession in the South African construction industry needs to relate to positive project influence on the industry roleplayers. This study assessed the perceived lack of recognition and acceptance of Project Management as a stand-alone profession relating to: · Appointments of Project Managers being questioned due to a perceived lack of influence and impact on project success. · Project Managers not being recognised as an integral part of the industry. · Project Management not being perceived as having a unique and defined function. Interviews were held with 23 industry role-players made up of clients, contractors and consultants. The interviews solicited input on the role-players’ perception and experience related to the influence of Project Management over the past 10 years, not only on a list of success criteria relative to their own role in the industry, but also their perception of the influence on the other defined role-player groups. Included in the interview questionnaire was also a range of general questions to refine the feedback and further test the hypotheses. The data were interpreted and analysed by comparing the feedback of the respondents as a combination and separately as groups. The results of the study indicate that: · Project Management could be seen as a legitimate part of the industry; · The industry role-players perceive Project Management as making an impact and having a growing influence on the industry; A specific but broad set of skills are required by Project Managers; · The Project Management function cannot be fulfilled by other consultants, but there are project related criteria which should be considered before making a final judgment. These criteria relate to project size and complexity; and · Project Management is currently perceived to be more related to a specific person’s skill than to a specific profession. The study’s aim was to influence and inform the views of industry role-players on the appointment of a Project Manager in the construction industry
Severe acute respiratory infection with influenza A (H1N1) during pregnancy
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaABSTRACT FROM JOURNAL: Pregnant women are at high risk of severe acute
respiratory infection if infected with the influenza A (H1N1)
virus. On 14 August 2009 the first complicated H1N1 obstetric
patient was admitted to the obstetric critical care unit (OCCU)
at Tygerberg Hospital with respiratory distress. The clinical
picture was that of bronchopneumonia, and she tested positive
for H1N1. Subsequent pregnant patients admitted to the OCCU
with respiratory compromise or flu symptoms were screened
for the virus.
Eleven days later 13 cases were confirmed. Five patients
had acute lung injury and required ventilation and inotropic
support. Three of the patients with acute lung injury
subsequently died. Three patients required continuous positive
airway pressure (CPAP) support only, with no inotropics
needed. The remaining 5 patients presented early, received
oseltamivir within 48 hours and did not require critical care
admission.
All the patients admitted to the OCCU and the medical
intensive care unit (ICU) initially presented with flu symptoms,
respiratory distress and changes on the chest radiograph
indicating an active diffuse pulmonary parenchymal process.
Six patients underwent uncomplicated caesarean sections for
fetal distress after they were stabilised. Maternal and neonatal
outcomes varied. The key factor appears to be early clinical
diagnosis and oseltamivir within 48 hours of the onset of
symptoms. The demographic data and maternal and fetal
outcomes are set out in Table I
From killer to carer : steroid hormones and paternal behaviour
Mammalian parental investment (i.e., care of descendant offspring) is largely biased
towards maternal contributions due to the specific feeding needs of mammalian
offspring; however, varying degrees of paternal investment have been reported in
about 10% of all mammalian species. Within the order Carnivora, paternal
contribution to rearing offspring is particularly high: an estimated 32% of all studied
carnivore species exhibit direct paternal care. Despite the prominence of paternal
investment in carnivores, the endocrine basis of this behaviour is not well
understood. This review examines the current – highly constrained -- state of
knowledge about the endocrine basis of carnivore paternal investment. We attempt
to link changes in androgen and glucocorticoid levels with variation in direct and
indirect paternal care behaviour making specific predictions regarding the way
forward. Well studied species such as bat-eared foxes (Otocyon megalotis), dwarf
mongoose (Helogale parvula) and meerkats (Suricata suricatta), where social
dynamics are relatively well understood, can act as ideal model systems through
which we may further investigate the endocrine basis of paternal investment in
carnivores.P.R. de Bruin would like to thank the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of the Free State for their financial support while writing this manuscript.http://www.nisc.co.za/products/59/journals/african-zoology2017-12-31hb2017Anatomy and Physiolog
Non-invasive measurement of adrenocortical activity in a myrmecophageous mammal, the bat-eared fox
Measuring physiological stress reactions through the quantification of plasma
cortisol often involves physically restraint, which acts as a stressor itself.
Here, we present the validation of a non-invasive method for assessing
adrenocortical activity as an indicator of stress in the bat-eared fox (Otocyon
megalotis). By conducting an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge,
we examined the suitability of three enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) detecting
11,17 dioxoandrostanes (11,17-DOA) as well as faecal glucocorticoid
metabolites (fGCM) with a 5β-3α-ol-11-one (3α,11oxo-CM), or 11,17,21-
trihydroxy-4-ene-20-one structure (cortisol), respectively, for monitoring
stress-related physiological responses in male and female bat-eared foxes.
Our results suggest that the cortisol EIA seems most suitable for measuring
fGCMs in this myrmecophageous mammal. Using the cortisol EIA, we
compared fGCM concentrations of three populations of foxes. Only one population experienced a sudden change in social environment and the assay
appeared to effectively detect the resulting increase in stress hormone levels.
Therefore, the identified EIA is effective at detecting intraspecific variation in
fGCM levels, and hence a useful tool to evaluate physiological stress
responses in this species.Thuthuka grant (#TTK1206041007) from the National Research Foundation.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tafz202017-02-28hb2016Anatomy and PhysiologyMammal Research InstituteZoology and Entomolog
Severe acute respiratory infection with influenza A (H1N1) during pregnanacy
During an eleven day period we admitted twelve obstetric patients with complicated H1N1. Five patients had acute lung injury and required invasive ventilation and inotropic support. Three patients required Continious Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) support with no inotropes needed. Three of the obstetric patients admitted to critical care units died. Influenza A (H1N1) should not be underestimated in pregnancy. Prevention strategies, early oseltamivir, carefull observation and early transfer to critical care facilities when indicated will decrease maternal and perinatal mortality
Comfort in Second Isaiah : a study of the verb נחם
Please read abstract in the article.Hierdie artikel is gebaseer op ’n gedeelte van ‘n proefskrif wat voltooi is onder die
promotorskap van proff. Jurie H. le Roux (promotor) en Alphonso Groenewald
(mede-promotor). (http://hdl.handle.net/2263/40225)http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/oldtestam201
Innovative parental care in a myrmecophageous mammal
Male bat-eared foxes, Otocyon megalotis, are
known to contribute extensively to parental care. Yet, the
exact roles that males and females play in raising offspring
remain relatively unexplored. Here, we describe interactions
between adult foxes and their presumed offspring based on a
pilot study on three family groups of a wild population in
South Africa. We report the first recorded instance of dung
provisioning observed in canids. A male bat-eared fox provided
dung to his offspring during a foraging trip, presumably
to give them access to the ensconced insects. Further,this male provisioned the young foxes with large, live insects.
Similar to other researchers, we never observed provisioning
by females, but the females in this population did
interact socially with their young in addition to suckling.We
emphasize the importance of anecdotal reports of novel
behavioural responses in wild canids, as an accumulation
of such evidence may reveal patterns of innovative behaviour
presently unrecognized in this family.NRF focal area grant
awarded to Professor Elissa Cameron, an NRF SARCHi Chair in
Mammal Behavioural Ecology and Physiology awarded to Professor
Nigel Bennett and NRF incentive funds as well as a research fellowship
from the University of Pretoria awarded to F. Dalerum.http://link.springer.com/journal/10211hb201
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