An appraisal of housing satisfaction in South Africa low income housing scheme

Abstract: Post-occupancy evaluation techniques have been developed to provide a means for evaluating occupant responses to changes in an environment and linking this response to physical measures of that environment. POE has been used to evaluate the performance of buildings after they have been built and occupied for some time. This paper presents findings on the social and physical factors which influence residential satisfaction in four different government Housing Subsidy locations in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Data obtained from the occupant survey were analyzed through the use of descriptive statistics. Findings arising from the survey revealed that the respondents were satisfied with their overall housing situation, but had complaints about certain aspects of the housing unit. However, the respondents informed that most of their housing needs were not being met. Also, a comparison is also made of the perceived factors of dissatisfaction amongst the housing subsidy occupants. It is recommended that a wider systematic coverage of the subject through investigation and diagnostic POE and occupants’ need assessment should be carried out in housing subsidy schemes in South Africa

Residents’ perception of subsidised low-income housing in South Africa : a case study of Kliptown, Johannesburg

This paper presents findings on the perception of low-income housing occupants on the quality of houses that have been built through the South Africa National Housing Subsidy Scheme Programme in Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa. The study also looks at the expectations of the occupants of the RDP houses prior to when the houses were allocated to them; if they were met by the houses provided. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted in Kliptown, Soweto in Johannesburg to determine the objective of the study. The respondents involved in the data gathering were only housing subsidy beneficiaries. The survey results revealed that the expectations of the occupants in terms of their housing needs were not met. Further findings also revealed that most of the houses had defects, the extents of which mere repairs by the occupants cannot handle. Also, the occupants indicated that the houses were not of good quality. Housing subsidy occupants’ perception has not been widely explored even though it is generally accepted that the quality of the South Africa subsidised houses is of low quality. Post- occupancy evaluation and prior and post-consultation with the occupants is as important as the houses being delivered. The paper contributes to this body of knowledge

Built-operate-transfer (BOT) model for public universities in Ghana for accelerating infrastructural development

Abstract: At independence, many countries look to reform education to accelerate economic and social development. Ghana is no exception, and after independence government saw in education the keys to social and economic development. Quality and availability of school infrastructure is one of the numerous problems confronting Ghana's education delivery. The purpose of this research is to find out infrastructure delivered by the private sector in our state Universities. The main objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness of public private partnership in infrastructure development at the state public universities in Ghana, and also find out the number of infrastructure undertaken by the private sector; and to find out which of the PPP model is appropriate for the development of infrastructure in the state public universities. Data will be collected using the Delphi and field questionnaire survey. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Nvivo will be used to analyze data from the field questionnaire survey and Delphi respectively. This is a preliminary survey study on an ongoing Ph.D. study

Health risk management in the construction industry

Abstract: The building construction industry has a high incidence of occupational ill health. Statistics show that two people die every week on construction sites. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if health and safety risk is managed through legislation directly and indirectly related to construction. This paper examines risk management in the building construction industry with emphasis on occupational health issues. The study was conducted through the use of secondary data from journals, books and internet to achieve the objective of the study. The review of literature looked into details of different views from different scholars about Occupational Health issues and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Management System. It further highlighted on various sections or disciplines of occupational health risk management and its benefits in the construction industry. It also outlined the process in construction risk management. The findings from literature review showed that risk assessments for health and safety risks are a statutory requirement under the management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. It was also mentioned that health and safety risk assessments are conducted in a controlled and thorough way following a set process

An exploratory factor analysis of safe acts of workers towards health and safety compliance

Abstract: Workers inability to act according to laid down rules and regulations within the industry have invariably contributed to their unsafe actions leading to accident. The purpose of the study was to determine safe acts of workers towards health and safety (H&S) compliance. Delphi survey method of data collection was adopted for the study. Experts were asked to complete the Delphi questionnaire survey based on the impact of given factors in predicting safe act of workers towards Health and Safety compliance. The ratings were based on either the impact was considered to be very high or high. Data obtained was analysed and results were presented in a table and a chart. Findings from the study show that only three measurement variables (ensure equipment or tools are in good condition before usage, ensure the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure proper positioning of tasks) were considered by the experts to have reached consensus with IQD cut- re. Further findings showed strong consensus with very high impact (VHI: 9.00-10.00).Results from the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) showed that only five indicator variables (SAW10,SAW 16,SAW7, SAW8 and SAW9) were considered as determinant of Health and Safety compliance. Further findings showed that one indicator variable (PPE) was found to be common in the Delphi survey and EFA results.The factor loadings for all items were greater than 0.5593.This findings indicate that high priority was given to SAW 10 in determining Health and Safety compliance in the construction industry

A theoretical perspective on the difference between leadership and management

Abstract: There are numerous overlaps in terms of relating the differences between leadership and management. Jarad (2012) viewed leadership as a subset of management and that both are important to facilitate organizatio0nal performance. However, the construction industry is well defined with the inclusion of both these roles. It is to this end that the study presents a theoretical framework relating to the difference between leadership and management. Design/methodology/approach: The study is conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature on leadership requirements for the construction industry. Findings: Literature findings revealed that, leadership includes social influence and the leader's role in setting a purpose or vision of change, whereas management associates with fulfilling organizational goals and processes. Originality/value: The study explores the difference leadership and management. The study further gives findings relating to management and leadership, thus adding value to the body of leadership and management knowledge

An integrated framework for the adoption of lean construction principles for the real estate industry in Ghana

Abstract: In general, a very high level of waste exists in construction; according to Koskela (2012). Although it is difficult to systematically measure all wastes in construction. Various studies from various countries have confirmed that waste represents a relatively large percentage of production costs. The main objective of this research among others is aimed at developing an integrated framework for the adoption of lean construction principles as a tool to revolutionize Real estate industry in Ghana. The researcher purposively selected a sample size of forty (40) out of the total population of four hundred (400) registered Real estate Development companies of GREDA (Ghana Real Estates Development Association) as multiple case studies to respond to the research questions

Marketing management as a potential prerequisite for success of the construction industry development agenda

Abstract: The Ghana's Construction Industry Develop Agenda (CIDA) is plagued with many challenges. The objectives of this paper are: to identify the root cause of the challenges and examine the right corporate strategy for overcoming it. The paper adopts a descriptive study design and uses literature review as a method to summarize and examine relevant extant literature on the subject and to show why marketing is indispensable for the development of the construction industry in Ghana. Findings reveal that the challenges confronting the construction industry development agenda are unique to developing nations and largely emanates from competition. The need exist for adoption of marketing by construction businesses as a means to enhance their competitive advantage which are necessary for overcoming the construction industry development challenges. The CIDA may remain a mirage unless the effort to develop the construction industry is underpinned by construction business development through effective marketing management of construction business enterprises, to overcome the effects of competition

Review of critical success factors for the implementation of total quality management in the construction industry

Abstract: Total Quality Management (TQM) is a philosophy that involves every organization in the industry in the effort to improve performance. The concept is an integrative management principle for continuously improving the quality of products and processes to achieve customer satisfaction. To achieve this concept required a clear establishment of Critical Success Factors (CSFs). However, lack of clear establishment of CSFs for the implementation of TQM in the construction industry has led to failure of the system. In the pursuit of performance excellence in the construction industry and with an increasing awareness of construction quality, construction firms have no option than to implement TQM with clear CSFs

Evaluating barriers of collaboration in South African construction supply chains

Abstract: Purpose Collaboration in construction has proven to be beneficial in many dimensions of the supply chain, yet in South Africa these models have been hardly explored as a means to execute the contract. The purpose of this article is to explore some of the barriers in the execution of collaborative models in the South African construction industry. Design Literature from different regions around the world was collected to provide a background on integrated construction supply chains. To examine the barriers relating to the application in South African construction supply chains (CSCs) quantitative analysis was used through questionnaires distributed to construction practitioners. Questionnaires were distributed to professionals involved in the construction supply chain (clients, contractors, consultants and suppliers). Descriptive statistics were applied to present and report on the findings. Findings The South African construction industry exists in a very dynamic and volatile environment. Barriers need to be examined and solutions to break down such barriers need to be explored. For supply chain integration to be achieved in South African CSCs collaboration needs to be practiced more skilfully for the industry to make progress. Value The South African construction industry is yet to welcome the use of collaborative models such as alliancing and construction partnering. This research seeks to establish reasons as to why there is resistance to adopt more collaboratively structured construction supply chains. The research will also highlight some of the benefits of using such models with the intention of encouraging an industry shift towards more integrated CSCs