Expected competencies of construction project managers in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Benviolent Chigara
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Educational Levels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Risk ◽  
Performance Challenges

Purpose Increased construction risk due to the complexity and numerous construction performance challenges requires improved construction project managers’ competence. However, contextual interrogation of these competencies is limited. This paper aims to report on a study that sought to determine the expected competencies of construction project managers and assesses the existence of statistically significant differences due to gender, designation and educational levels of respondents. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was instituted through the administration of a questionnaire survey on Project Managers, Architects, Engineers and Quantity surveyors working for consultants and contractors’ organizations. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysed significant differences due to demographic variables. Factor analysis was also used to reveal interrelated significant sets of competencies expected of construction project managers. Findings Factor analysis determined 11 significant components with the highest-ranked components comprising organizational savvy and experience in managing project constraints. The univariate analysis determining effective communication, leadership and good team-building skills as being the three most critical expected competencies. Significant differences due to educational levels were established, with shortcomings existing in those with Diplomas. Research limitations/implications The higher education institutions need to establish curricula designs that align with the competency expectations. Mentorship programmes within construction organizations can also be significant in bridging the existing competence gap. However, due to the exploratory nature of the study, the insights of clients were not considered. Originality/value The study determined competencies for construction project managers and demographic-specific interventions.

Enhancing the impact of transformational leadership and team-building on project success: the moderating role of empowerment climate

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shazia Nauman ◽  
Ata Ul Musawir ◽  
Hina Munir ◽  
Imran Rasheed
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Social Information Processing ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Information Processing Theory ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Processing Theory ◽  
Empowerment Climate

PurposeThis study examines the mechanisms and conditions that influence how transformational leadership affects project success through the lens of social information processing theory.Design/methodology/approachA dual-stage moderated mediation model was proposed wherein the effect of transformational leadership on project success is mediated by team building, and empowering climate moderates the direct and indirect effects at both the first and second stages. The model was tested based on 370 survey responses of project management practitioners from Pakistan's IT industry. The measurement model was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Moderated mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes' PROCESS macro.FindingsThe findings suggest that team-building partially mediates the effect of transformational leadership on project success. Furthermore, the conditional indirect effect of transformational leadership on project success via team-building is strengthened at both the first and second stages at higher levels of empowerment climate.Practical implicationsIt is recommended that project managers and project-intensive organizations should strive to cultivate an empowerment climate to fully realize the beneficial effects of transformational leadership behaviors in enhancing positive team outcomes and, consequently, overall project performance.Originality/valueThis study broadly contributes to the literature on the influence of project managers' leadership styles on project outcomes. Specifically, we elucidate the role of empowerment climate as an important boundary condition that enhances the beneficial effects of transformational leadership. Furthermore, we extend the application of social information processing theory to the context of projects.

Factors affecting the delivery of optimum health and safety on construction projects during the covid-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benviolent Chigara ◽  
Tirivavi Moyo
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Monitoring And Enforcement

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of construction professionals relative to factors that affect the delivery of optimum health and safety (H&S) on construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative design which entailed the distribution of a web-based questionnaire among construction professionals, namely, architects, construction/project managers, engineers, H&S managers and quantity surveyors working for contractors and construction consultants in Zimbabwe. The data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Factor analysis was used to reveal interrelated significant sets of factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S. Findings Factor analysis revealed nine components/factors: change and innovation-related, monitoring and enforcement-related, production-related, access to information and health service-related, on-site facilities and welfare-related, risk assessment and mitigation-related, job security and funding-related, cost-related and COVID-19 risk perception-related factors as the significant factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Research limitations/implications The results highlighted the need for social dialogue among construction stakeholders to support initiatives that will enhance the delivery of H&S on construction projects. Construction stakeholders may find the results useful in highlighting the areas that need improvement to protect workers’ H&S during the pandemic. However, the small sample limits the generalisability of the results to construction sectors in other regions. Originality/value The study investigated factors affecting the delivery of optimum H&S during the COVID-19 to inform interventions to enhance H&S.

scholarly journals Integrated model for the stressors, stress, stress-coping behaviour of construction project managers in the UK

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamil George Naoum ◽  
Carlos Herrero ◽  
Charles Egbu ◽  
Daniel Fong
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Structural Equation Modelling ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose It is axiomatic that construction is a fast-paced and competitive industry, which goes hand in hand with many construction professionals suffering from stress including construction project managers (C-PMs). The role of C-PMs is crucial to achieving project success as they are responsible for planning the project, organising human resources, controlling operations and the budget, and forecasting probable difficulties. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal relationships between stressors, stresses, stress-coping behaviours and their impact on the performance of C-PMs. Design/methodology/approach To investigate the relationships between stress and performance among C-PMs, a questionnaire was designed based on the extensive literature, and was sent to 150 C-PMs who had amassed at least five years’ direct working experience in the construction industry. A total of 44 completed questionnaires were returned. Correlation analysis and structural equation modelling were employed to understand the integrated relationships between these factors. Based on the data collected and analysis of the results, an integrated structural equation model of the stresses and performances of C-PMs was developed using AMOS version 22.0. Findings The results of structural equation modelling reveal the following: burnout is the type of stress that has the highest impact on the performance of C-PMs, being detrimental to their interpersonal performance (IPP) and positive for their organisational performance (OP), whereas physiological stress worsens the task performance of C-PMs and objective stress improves their IPP. The most active stressor towards the performance of C-PMs is “workgroup cooperation”, which has an impact on the IPP in a positive way but is detrimental to the OP. Career-developing environment, poor organisational structure and role conflict affect both stress and performance together. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the impact of various types of stress on the performances of C-PMs. The result constitutes a significant step towards the stress management of C-PMs in the dynamic and stressful construction industry.

Is sustainability a motive to buy? An exploratory study in the context of mobile applications channel among young Indian consumers

foresight ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha K.S. Nair ◽  
Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Questionnaire Development ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Payments ◽  
Digital Payments

PurposeConsumers shopping motives may differ across products/services categories, retail formats and channels. In the context of m-Apps-based commerce, this study aims to explore different shopping motives of consumers in three different categories of app, namely, food delivery, ride sourcing and digital payments. Using motivation literature, the study extends the theory of consumer motives by including sustainability as a key motive to buy in the context of m-App channel. Further, the authors undertake a comparative analysis of the identified motives across the three mobile applications (m-Apps).Design methodology/approachThe research methodology involved two stages (qualitative research followed by quantitative research). In qualitative research, personal interview was conducted to extract items for survey questionnaire development. Subsequently, quantitative analysis was carried out. The data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The study sample comprised 201 young Indian managers.FindingsUsing principal component analysis and CFA, the study validates the existence of different motivations in the three categories of m-Apps considered. Transaction-oriented and sustainability-oriented motivation is found to be a major motive to use m-Apps for food delivery, ride sourcing and mobile payments. Additionally, in digital wallet applications for mobile payments, consumers exhibit innovation-oriented motivation. Value-oriented motivation was identified as a motive in food delivery apps.Research limitations/implicationsThe scale developed and the comparative study done extended the theoretical conversation on young consumer motives in the context of m-Apps channel and extended it by including sustainability motive, which needs further in-depth study.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to explore sustainability motives in the context of m-Apps channel.

How personality traits influence management styles of construction project managers

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-468
Author(s):  
Florence Y.Y. Ling ◽  
Zhe Zhang ◽  
Wei Ting Wong
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Team Leadership ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Management Styles ◽  
Personality Tests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People

PurposeThis research investigates the dominant personality traits of construction project managers (PMs) and how their personality influences their management styles.Design/methodology/approachAn industry-wide survey with 70 PMs was conducted in Singapore. The survey data were subjected to inferential statistical tests. In-depth interviews were conducted with four subject matter experts.FindingsMajority of the sample PMs are male with age, education level and experience well spread. The dominant personality traits of PMs are found to be: high in Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness and Openness and low in Neuroticism. PMs adopt “team leadership” style in which they place high emphasis on both the work that they need to complete and the people they lead. Their Agreeableness and Conscientiousness may improve over time.Research limitations/implicationsThe correlations and regressions cannot prove causality.Practical implicationsIt is discovered that PMs who have high conscientiousness and high openness personalities are more likely to be leaders who are concerned for both the people that they lead and production outcomes. The implication is that employers may wish to conduct personality tests at the time of hiring to ensure good job match.Originality/valueThis study is novel because it integrated two areas of knowledge – personality traits and management style. The regression analysis discovered that Openness and Conscientiousness traits may be used to predict PMs' management styles. This suggests that if personality tests are administered at hiring stage, the outcomes may be used to match potential hires to the jobs that they are being considered for.

Management styles in a project environment: evidence from software industry in Oman

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 600-611
Author(s):  
Muhammad Saqib Chaudhry ◽  
Muhammad Mustafa Raziq ◽  
Abubakr Saeed ◽  
Aymen Sajjad ◽  
Felipe Mendes Borini
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Software Industry ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Management Styles ◽  
Industry Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Environment ◽  
Project Management Professionals ◽  
Task Oriented

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the management styles adopted by project managers in the software industry in Oman. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 208 project management professionals is drawn from the Omani software industry. Data analysis is based on factor analysis and analysis of variance techniques. Findings The results suggest that project managers in the Omani software industry mainly adopt three management styles: people oriented, task oriented and organization oriented. Furthermore, the management styles of project managers are affected by their experience and age, and the organizational structure. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by examining management styles adopted by managers in a temporary organization environment from an under-researched context, Oman.

Prominent demotivational factors influencing the productivity of construction project managers in Qatar

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1070-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz M. Jarkas ◽  
Milan Radosavljevic ◽  
Liu Wuyi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Project ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
The State ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Productivity Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Technical Specifications ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – An extensive search of the literature revealed a dearth of research on the demotivational factors affecting the performance and productivity level of site-based construction project managers. Following the announcement of awarding the FIFA 2022 World Cup hosting rights to the State of Qatar, the State is pledging to spend tens of Billions of Dollars on hundreds of new construction projects. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to identify, explore, and rank the relative importance of the demotivational factors influencing the productivity of the State's construction management force. Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire survey comprising 38 potential demotivational factors, which were shortlisted based on relevant previous studies on the impact of motivation on construction productivity, and numerous interviews with local industry professionals, was distributed to a relatively large sample of site-resident project managers. Using the “Relative Importance Index” technique, the influence ranks of the factors explored were determined. Findings – The results obtained reveal the following as the prominent demotivational factors influencing the productivity of construction project managers: lack of financial incentive schemes; slow decision-making process by owners; remuneration scale; delay in responding to Requests For Information (RFI); shortage of skilled labour force; shortage of materials; clarity and completeness of technical specifications; frequent changing orders during execution; drawings quality level; and rework. Research limitations/implications – It is clear, based on the outcomes, that the cultural background of individuals, and the prevalent practices within the environment in which they operate, are two critical factors in determining their motivation drivers. Hence, it is prudent to explore the dominant culture and values of the management workforce, in addition to the characteristics of the working environment, before trying to apply relevant motivational theories, or even implement new management strategies. Practical implications – The results demonstrate that, within the geographical setting and cultural aspects of the sample surveyed, “tributes” and “pecuniary” may be interpreted to have the largest effect on the productivity of construction project managers. Originality/value – The findings not only contribute to the overall body of knowledge related to the effect of the motivation phenomenon on the productivity of the construction operation, but can also be used to provide industry practitioners with guidance for focusing, acting upon, and controlling the significant demotivational factors affecting the efficiency of the construction project management force practicing in State.

Are Malaysian Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibilities effective? A stakeholders’ view

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruna Babatunde Jaiyeoba ◽  
Abideen Adeyemi Adewale ◽  
Mahmud Oluwaseyi Quadry
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Islamic Financial Institutions ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) using data collected from stakeholders in Malaysia. While Islamic scholars have developed the Islamic CSR from the Qur’anic verses, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) and from the western ideologies, the focus of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the developed Islamic CSR practices. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design was adopted for this study. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and other analyses are performed on the data collected from 193 stakeholders in Malaysia. Findings Based on the data collected and analyzed, the results show that stakeholders view the Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSRs as effective. Research limitations/implications This study investigates the effectiveness of Malaysian Islamic banks’ CSR based on the survey data collected. However, future studies could explore this in greater depth using mixed methods. Practical implications The research findings have great implications for researchers. Since this study is among the few research studies that investigate the effectiveness of Islamic CSR, the researchers have paved ways for further investigation in this area. In addition, the study encourages the Malaysian Islamic banks and other Islamic financial institutions to contribute more to the society. Originality/value The study examines the effectiveness of Islamic banks’ CSR and contributes to the growing discussions on the Islamic CSR. The study has opened up this area for further investigations by other researchers.

Factors affecting building security cost sustainability using PCA

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anifowose Opeyemi Maroof ◽  
Ilias Said ◽  
Radzi Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Fear Of Crime ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Security Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Planning And Control

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate built environment experts’ perception of factors affecting the building security cost for sustainable development. It examines the effects of building characteristics and protective measures on the cost of building security within the built environment. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a quantitative research technique, using questionnaires to source relevant information from respondents. Of the 333 questionnaires administered, 293 usable responses were returned, giving an 88 per cent response rate. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is used to examine the suitability of these data for factor analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used to extract the factors. Findings – Components 1, 2 and 3 reflect concern for procurement of security devices, design process of security requirements and safety of life and property and fear of crime, respectively. The communalities represented by R2 are relatively strong across the variables. Aesthetics is significant with an R2 value of 0.71, which shows that this factor should be given due consideration when procuring building security devices. Also, height, location and use of building are significant with R2 values of 0.70, 0.63 and 0.71, respectively. These factors positively influence the building security cost and should be given due consideration when designing protective buildings. Practical implications – The findings would assist in the evaluation, planning and control of the rising cost of building security. Social implications – This study serves to sensitize built environment experts, criminologists and policymakers of the design implication of protective requirements of building security. Originality/value – This study provides empirical evidence that the various factors considered have an effect on the building security cost and contribute immensely towards sustainable the building security cost within the built environment.

Managing the work-family interface: experience of construction project managers

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Turner ◽  
Anthony Mariani
Keyword(s):  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Construction Project ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Investment Model ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Family

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the work-family experience of projects managers working in the construction industry, and identify how they manage their work-family interface. Design/methodology/approach – Structured interviews were conducted with nine construction project managers working in the commercial sector, and data were subject to thematic analysis. Findings – Role conditions were found to impact on participants’ work-family interface, identified as working hours, accountability, and the stress arising from accountability. Participants identified four key strategies used to manage their work-family interface: managing work-based stress, having a supportive partner, prioritising non-work time for family, and trading off activities. Despite having to limit time with family and trade off social and leisure activities, participants did not report negative work-to-family spillover. All participants shared a passion for their work. Findings can be explained using the heavy worker investment model, which proposes that job devotion is linked to psychological well-being, decreases in work-family conflict (WFC), and work satisfaction. Originality/value – Contrary to previous research, findings suggest that construction project managers did not experience inter-role conflict between their work and family domains. It is recommended that further research explore these findings using the heavy work investment (HWI) framework which considers how internal and external predictors shape workers’ behaviour, and whether HWI typologies moderate the experience of WFC.

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