Adoption of light steel (LS) for building projects in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 711-733
Author(s):  
Oluwaseun Dosumu ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Building Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
Questionnaire Research

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the level of awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt light steel (LS) for building projects. It also assessed the benefits, challenges and solutions to the challenges of adopting LS for building projects. Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative (questionnaire) research method was used for the study. The research design was survey in nature. The whole-population cluster sampling technique was adopted. The clusters were the LS buildings from two (Western Cape and Gauteng) out of the eight provinces in South Africa. The respondents were the construction organizations that have executed LS building projects in the selected provinces. Hence, 56 firms filled and returned the questionnaire. Data analysis was done with frequency, mean scores, t-test and analysis of variance (normality of data distribution assumed). FindingsResults indicated that, out of the 29 areas of application of LS identified in literature, respondents were aware of 11 areas, adopted LS for seven areas and were willing to adopt LS for six areas. Respondents also noted that 18 of the 25 identified benefits of LS were relevant to South Africa. Despite the benefits, few developers embrace it, it is a threat to suppliers’ and contractors’ businesses and it delays building approval due to low awareness. Practical implicationThe implication of the results is that there is low awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt LS for building projects in South Africa, and this may be due to the identified challenges. To boost the awareness about, adoption of and willingness to adopt LS, LS technologies need to be imported, LS warehouses should be provided in all cities and it must be ensured that LS building projects are cheaper than conventional buildings. Originality/valueThe value of the study is that the adoption of LS for building projects will improve the capacity of sustainable development.

Appraisal of stakeholders' willingness to adopt construction 4.0 technologies for construction projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Temidayo Oluwasola Osunsanmi ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke ◽  
Muredini Liphadzi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Design Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

PurposeConstruction 4.0 technology has the capabilities for improving the design, management, operations and decision making of construction projects. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the willingness of construction professionals towards adopting construction 4.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts a survey design, and construction professionals in South Africa are assessed using a convenience sampling technique through a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was analysed with SPSS while statistical test like; mean score, t-test and principal component analysis was used to present the data.FindingsThe findings, from the analysis, revealed that the construction professionals are willing to adopt construction 4.0 technologies for construction project. However, the possibility of fully integrating the technologies into the construction industry is low. This is because the major technologies such as; Internet of things, robotics, human-computer interaction and cyber-physical systems that encourage smart construction site are rated as not important by the construction professionals.Practical implicationsIt is believed that the findings emanating from this study will serve as an indicator for investors that are interested in procuring construction 4.0 technologies for the construction industry.Originality/valueThis paper presents a framework for the application of construction 4.0 technologies for the construction industry. It also contributes to the development of digitalising construction industry in South Africa.

The role of transformational leadership style, organizational structure and job characteristics in developing psychological empowerment among banking professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imran Ahmad Shahzad ◽  
Muhammad Farrukh ◽  
Nazar OmerAbdallah Ahmed ◽  
Li Lin ◽  
Nagina Kanwal
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Psychological Empowerment ◽  
Organization Structure ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bank Managers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the antecedents of psychological empowerment among bank managers in Beijing, China. Specifically, it aims at investigating the impact of transformational leadership, organization structure and job characteristics on psychological empowerment among banking professionals. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were distributed to bank managers in Beijing which were randomly selected through the cluster sampling technique. PLS-SEM was used for analysis to testify the hypotheses. Findings Statistical results showed; transformational leadership, organization structure and job characteristics were directly and positively related to psychological empowerment. Originality/value The proposed model is essential in providing guideline for the development of employees. These recommendations can be adopted by the organizational trainers and human resource personnel for the betterment of their organization.

Tourism entrepreneurs' expectation from the provincial government in touristic city – Pokhara, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-351
Author(s):  
Niranjan Devkota ◽  
Udaya Raj Paudel ◽  
Udbodh Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Practical Implication ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Social Implication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Natural Beauty ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Good Flow

PurposeThis paper explores entrepreneurs' expectation from the new provincial government to protect sociocultural values for promoting touristic city – Pokhara, Nepal.Design/methodology/approachThe purposive sampling technique was applied to source the information from the respondents resided at Pokhara. Structured questionnaire techniques and cross-sectional descriptive method were used to collect data from 393 tourism entrepreneurs to explore their understanding and existing situations.FindingsAbout 85.5% of the respondents argue that the new government system has affected their business and 58.27% feel procedural complexities due to new political administrative system. Natural beauty, growing pollution, unmanaged urbanizations, good flow of the tourists and sustainability of the touristic city resulted as main aspects of Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats. The entrepreneurs expect that newly formed provincial government should provide business security, formulate appropriate tax policy and provision for business insurance scheme for smooth operation, growth and sustainability of their tourism entrepreneurship.Research limitationsThe research was taken in Pokhara, only the entrepreneurs mostly resided at Lakeside were taken and wider research across the whole city would give a more balanced perspective.Practical implicationRecommendations are made with the aim of uplifting entrepreneurship milieu in the touristic city Pokhara in order to promote tourism business of Pokhara.Social implicationThis research can help local authority to take local residents' and entrepreneurs' experience into consideration for creating better plan and policies for the well-being of Pokhara.Originality/valueThis is the first paper to provide data from the perspective of entrepreneurs' expectation from newly formed Gandaki provincial government in Pokhara, Nepal.

Stigma and disclosure as barriers to regular dental care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Kwazulu-Natal and Western Cape, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mervyn Turton ◽  
Sudeshni Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Oral Health Care ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Health Care Experiences ◽  
Living With Hiv

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the oral health care experiences of people living with HIV in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) and the Western Cape (WC) and also to identify the role of stigma and discrimination in the oral health care experiences for people living with HIV in KZN and the WC. Design/methodology/approach – This study was a survey among HIV-positive people attending selected Community Health Centres and regional hospitals, HIV clinics in KZN and WC provinces in South Africa. The sample consisted of people living with HIV that were 18 years or older and who had given written, informed consent. A cross-sectional study structure has been employed using a standardized format using a semi-structured interview and an administered questionnaire to collect data. The study classified participants as living in metropolitan or non-metropolitan areas. Findings – Apprehension of loss of confidentiality, stigma and discrimination were the barriers that deterred participants from seeking care. Respondents stated that they feared what the dentist and staff would think of them being HIV positive and feared being discriminated against by the dentist and staff. In some instances there appears to be a difference between policy and practice regarding the oral health care needs of and services rendered to people living with HIV in public health facilities as there are still patients who do not obtain care and for whom the attitudes of the health care provider constitutes the major barrier to accessing that care. Research limitations/implications – The results are specific to KZN and WC and have to be extrapolated with caution to the rest of South Africa. Additionally, this study did not have a control group of HIV-negative people which would have enabled one to determine whether certain barriers were unique to people living with HIV. Practical implications – To make recommendations with respect to addressing the issue of stigma and discrimination in the oral health care experiences for people living with HIV in KZN and the WC as there is a definite need for the government to address the resource needs of rural areas and less developed areas of South Africa. Health care is a much-needed resource in these high prevalence areas and governments must ensure that all their HIV/AIDS projects and policies should have a rural component built into them. Social implications – This study emphasizes the importance of embracing people that are being discriminated and marginalized by society such as people living with HIV to ensure that they feel a franchised member of society who can take the initiative to be in control of their own health and, with the necessary aid from public resources and societal support, join forces to reduce the public health burden and its impact on the socio-economic milieu. Originality/value – To the best of the author's knowledge, there is no other study that has compared differences in the use of oral health care services by people with HIV in South Africa and these results serve as an indication of some the important issues in this regard.

scholarly journals Assessing the effectiveness of financial compensation, promotional opportunities and workplace spirituality as employee motivational factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1396-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudette Ramnarain ◽  
Sanjana Brijball Parumasur
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Workplace Spirituality ◽  
Employee Motivation ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Financial Compensation ◽  
Motivating Factor ◽  
Large Municipality

This study aims to determine whether employees are motivated to a greater extent by monetary (financial compensation) or non-monetary (promotion opportunities, workplace spirituality) incentives and, to assess whether biographical influences exist in this regard. The study was undertaken in a large municipality department in eThekweni (Durban), South Africa. A sample of 108 participants was drawn using the cluster sampling technique. In this quantitative, cross-sectional, hypothesis-testing methodology, data was collected using a questionnaire whose psychometric properties of validity and reliability were statistically assessed using Factor Analysis and Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that financial compensation is the main motivating factor for employees in the organisation, followed by workplace spirituality and lastly, promotional opportunities. It is evident that the elements of workplace spirituality have not yet been embraced by this public sector institution and, unhappiness exists with regards to perceptions of unfair and inconsistent implementation of promotional opportunities which are not linked to performance. Biographical influences of gender on financial compensation and, tenure and marital status on promotional opportunities respectively were noted. Recommendations are presented, which when carefully implemented, has the potential to bring about enhanced employee motivation in the organisation.

School governing body for parents' productive involvement in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-848
Author(s):  
Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
School Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governing Body ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Innovation In Education ◽  
Management And Leadership

PurposeThe democratic constitution that came into effect in 1994 and ushered in the new South Africa recognises parents' role in education hence the established of an innovative school governance structure of which parents are in the majority. Before then, there existed parents–teachers association in schools. Its members were handpicked and therefore undemocratic and ineffective. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the innovation in school governance encourages parents in the rural areas to be productively involved in school matters.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the qualitative research method of focus group interviews to explore the extent to which the school governing body fosters active involvement of parents in school matters. The purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 21 school governors from three rural schools who were deemed information-rich to participate in the study.FindingsThe study found that the post-apartheid school governing body concept, which is an innovation in education management and leadership, encourages and promotes productive parents' involvement in education of their children.Originality/valueThe findings have lessons and implications for school management and leadership in the developing countries because as an Africa adage says, “it takes a whole village to bring up a child”.

Enhancing instructional outcomes with a serious gamified system: a qualitative investigation of student perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein Haruna ◽  
Asad Abbas ◽  
Zamzami Zainuddin ◽  
Xiao Hu ◽  
Robin R. Mellecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Attitude Change ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
School Students ◽  
Serious Gaming ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the students’ perception of their learning experiences concerning serious gaming and gamification instructions and determines whether they were motivated enough and engaged during the educative process in a resource-poor context. Moreover, the study evaluated the impact of interactive instructional environment outcomes in terms of students’ perceptions of the learning catalysed by gamified systems, particularly in enhancing attitude change coupled with knowledge acquisition. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative research design technique to collect the data. A total of 108 first year secondary school students participated in a sexual health literacy course that lasted for a five-week learning period. Using a cluster-sampling technique, three classes were randomly assigned to serious gaming, gamification and teacher-centred instructions. Individual face-to-face interviews were used to assess students’ perceives required satisfaction with three instructions. Data were audio-recorded, and coding analysis was used using NVivo software facilitated qualitative data analysis. Findings The results show that serious gaming and gamification instructions trumped the traditional teacher-centred instruction method. While intervention students were all positive about the serious gaming and gamification instructions, non-intervention students were negative about conservative teacher-centered learning whose limited interactivity also undermined learning relative to the two innovative interventions. Research limitations/implications As a justification to limit face-to-face classes, this study may be useful during an emergency phenomenon, including the current situation of amid COVID-19. The implementation of serious gaming and gamification as remotely instructional options could be among the measures to protect educational communities through reducing close-proximity, and eventually, control contamination and the spread of viruses. Originality/value The application of serious gaming and game elements should not be conceptualised as universal but context-specific. This study shows that particularism is essential to optimise the results in terms of coming up with a specific design based on the scope of evaluation for positive results and develop an intervention that will work, especially in the resource-poor context of the developing world.

The competitive edge of construction

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 31-33
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Market Place ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Competitive Edge ◽  
Construction Organizations ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The construction industry is arguably one of the most competitive, no more so than in South Africa. Understanding how organizational characteristics can mediate between competitive strategy and performance allows for the potential of improving how construction organizations form themselves, to gain a competitive advantage. Oynekunle et al. (2016) have looked at 72 large construction companies in South Africa, looking to identify what aspects have the greatest influence on performance, and how to make construction organizations more robust in such a turbulent market place. While much is dependent on individual approaches to management style and structuring in an organization, it is possible to identify ways in which any organization can boost performance and beat the competition. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Assessment of residents’ attitude towards ecotourism in KwaZulu-Natal protected areas

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bola Olusola Adeleke
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Fellowship ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
High Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to assess the attitude of residents towards ecotourism in KwaZulu-Natal protected areas. It also determined how barriers to ecotourism trips could negatively affect the success of tourism development in protected areas. The new South Africa today has widely and innovatively embraced ecotourism based largely around the protected areas. Residents’ attitude towards tourism is one of the important indicators for sustainable development in protected areas. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 212 copies of structured questionnaires were used to collect information for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the target population of the protected areas while respondents were selected from the communities based on random sampling technique. Mean scores for barriers to ecotourism trips were determined. Descriptive statistics and T-test inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings – The results agree with the theory of planned behaviour where intentions of residents to participate in ecotourism were directly influenced by barriers such as no time, low income and no transportation. It was also found out that preference for ecotourism trips was significantly influenced by the various barriers to ecotourism activities. High level of unemployment and high level of illiteracy were considered to be responsible for poor attitude in Kwadlangezwa with many (43.4 per cent) unwilling to support ecotourism development projects. Research limitations/implications – The research implication infers that high level of poverty and illiteracy in communities surrounding protected areas could seriously indicate non-support for development projects. Practical implications – Ecotourism-related businesses need be developed in destinations to alleviate poverty. Social implications – The moral of residents need be boosted through workshops and educative seminars. Originality/value – The study was conducted during the author’s research fellowship with the Department of Recreation and Tourism, University of Zululand, Kwadlangezwa, South Africa.

Understanding the gap between green building practice and legislation requirements in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abimbola Olukemi Windapo ◽  
Jack Steven Goulding
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Western Cape Province ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
Management Staff

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine green building legislation requirements and practices in the construction project execution stage within the context of the South African construction industry. The rationale for this examination rests with the perception that the implementation of green practices (per se) has been recognised as being “behind” the legislation enacted to control the design and construction of green buildings. Design/methodology/approach – The research process consisted of a literature review to identify existing green building legislation and practices applicable to the project execution phase. This was supported by a sequential mixed-method research approach, which involved a survey of contracting companies based in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Purposive sampling was used to undertake focused interviews with management staff and site operatives. Findings – Research findings established a number of issues, not least: a gap between green building practices and legislation requirements; a high degree of unawareness of green building legislation/practices by construction company stakeholders; selective implementation of health and safety legislative requirements; that management staff had a more “positive” attitude to green building practices than site-based staff who tended to be less motivated and open to such practices. Research limitations/implications – Results from this study are considered generalisable with the sample frame only. Research inference and projections should therefore only be made within this set, and not to the wider population of South African contractors (as this study was limited to the Western Cape Province). Practical implications – Implications from this research are applicable to construction company stakeholders within the population set. Practical considerations include the need to acknowledge a formal commitment to developing a sustainable built environment – especially cognisant of the gap between practices on site and green building legislation requirements. Moreover, this lack of awareness in respect of green building practices and legislation requirements impinges upon several wider areas, not least: construction company stakeholders’ positioning, health and safety practices; managerial and operational staff perceptions, and stakeholders’ willingness and motivation to proactively address these gaps. Social implications – Government bodies and allied professionals in charge of construction industry development are encouraged to consider the implementation of green building legislation requirements on construction sites. This reflection should encourage engagement through formative legislative provision and transparent awareness campaigns. Originality/value – This work is original insofar as it directly addresses the alignment of legislation to current practices within the context of the South African construction industry. However, similar exercises have been undertaken on green building legislation in other countries such as USA, UK and Australia.

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