ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF BUILDINGS ACROSS THEIR LIFE CYCLE STAGES

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lusca Ngwepe ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Thwala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
The South ◽  
Building Activities

The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of building activities in South Africa (SA). To achieve the objectives of the study, a critical review of literature was done which was followed by the use of a questionnaire to collect primary data on the possible barriers to the adoption of LCA methodology for buildings. Five major environmental impacts were identified from literature, which were subsequently explored with the use of the questionnaire survey. The questionnaires were distributed to the construction professional team (i.e., Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Facilities Managers, Construction Managers, Civil Engineers, and Site Engineers) in the South African construction industry. Findings from the study revealed that all the stages of a building cause environmental impacts. Although, for some of the identified environmental impacts caused by building activities participants where neutral for example, that building activities lead to “Loss of Marine Life”. A comparison was done between the years of experience and the view on what the environmental impacts are and it was found that participants with more years of experience agree more that building activities causes environmental impacts as compared to participants with less years of experience, in the construction industry. The factor that was highly agreed upon by participants with more years of experience is Building Materials. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the environmental impacts of buildings across their life cycle in the South African construction industry. The study therefore is valuable to the SA construction industry, built environment, infrastructure development, and/or sustainable urban development.

Clusters of key barriers to life cycle assessment adoption in the South African construction industry: perspectives of stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Titus Ebenezer Kwofie ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
The South ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The South African Construction Industry (SACI) in recent times has been characterized by a strong emphasis towards achieving sustainable building practices in infrastructural delivery. However, the lack of progress encountered in making gains in achieving sustainable practices has raised concerns over the effectiveness and understanding of the extent to which life cycle assessment (LCA) techniques may aid in meeting requirements of sustainable construction. Most efforts at LCA have been blighted with numerous barriers that have not been rigorously pursued and aggregated. Ironically, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the limitations and barriers to these methodologies, especially in the South African context. The purpose of this study is to delineate the cluster of barriers to the adoption of LCA methodologies in the SACI. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was carried out from a deductive research design elicit primary data based on the experience of purposively sampled stakeholders in LCA in the SACI on the extent they perceived the presence of well-established barriers in LCA adoption culled from the extensive literature review. Findings Through the use of factor analysis, three aggregated clusters of key barriers to LCA adoption in the SACI were identified, which were knowledge and enabling conditions constraints, cost and time constraints and technical constraints. The results confirm that indeed human and technical barriers have been notable in limiting gains in LCA adoption and achieving sustainable practices. Originality/value These findings are, thus, useful in overcoming challenges to LCA methodologies in achieving sustainable building practices in building and infrastructural delivery in SACI.

THE USE OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ifije Ohiomah ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Thulisile Zwane ◽  
Douglas Aghimen
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Life Cycle Thinking ◽  
The South ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Policies And Programs

This study assesses the benefit of sustainable construction and the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) in the South African construction industry to achieve sustainable construction. The data used in this was derived from both primary and secondary resources. The primary data was collected through a questionnaire approach. The study revealed that LCA could be used for product comparison, product development, formulating of product eco-labels, evaluating construction processes and decision-making processes in the construction industry concerning materials. Furthermore, the study revealed that LCA has various strengths, challenges and weakness, this is due to the fact that there is a requirement of the high quality of knowledge and data when conducting a detailed LCA study. However, this study revealed that life cycle thinking is a cornerstone for developing policies and programs, which meet sustainability criteria and there is a great room for the development and use of LCA in the South African construction industry. Therefore, it is recommended that the South African Construction industry invest more in environmental tools such as LCA.

JOB DISSATISFACTION INFLUENCE ON CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYEE ABSENTEEISM AND TURNOVER

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Portia Leasilane ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Employee Turnover ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
The Body ◽  
Job Dissatisfaction ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The South

This study examines the influence of job dissatisfaction on absenteeism and employee turnover. This is because it has been observed that many construction projects are facing challenges relating to the delivering of defective work, delayed project completion and cost overruns in most cases; and job dissatisfaction has been identified as one of the factors contributing to these challenges encountered in the construction industry. The study was conducted with reference to existing theoretical literature (secondary data) and the use of a structured questionnaire survey for the primary data collection. The questionnaire survey was distributed amongst construction professional in the South African construction industry. The findings from the questionnaire survey revealed that the aspects associated with job dissatisfaction which brings about absenteeism and employee low productivity include: salary issues, incentives, professional growth, working relationship as well as enforcement of fair policies. These factors were rated by the study respondents as the most influential factors of absenteeism and employee turnover in the South African construction industry. This study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to the influence of job dissatisfaction on absenteeism and employee turnover in the South African construction industry.

DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS OF PROJECT AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Murendeni Liphadzi ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The South ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Secondary Sources

The construction industry is one of the major industries in South Africa. Like any other industry, strong leadership is vital for its growth. Moreover in order to stay competitive, South African construction firms must find a way to train their project and construction managers to become competent leaders in their specific disciplines. It is to this end, that the study presents findings on how leaders can be developed in the South African construction industry. The data used in this research were derived from both primary and secondary sources. The secondary data was collected via a detailed review of related literature. The primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire aimed at 150 projects and construction managers in the South African construction industry. From the 150 distributed questions, only 110 questionnaires were received and subsequently data based on the received questionnaire which was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that, education and qualification can help develop leaders in the South African construction industry. This was followed by leadership training courses, taking responsibility, new challenges, and internal motivation, professional and personal development. The study explores leadership and leadership development in the South African construction industry. The study presents a robust background about the construction industry and the importance of leadership.

DIGITALISATION IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS PERSPECTIVE

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Aghimien ◽  
Clinton Aigbavboa ◽  
Ayodeji Oke ◽  
Nteboheng Koloko
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
The Body ◽  
The South ◽  
Control Cost ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Cost Planning

This study presents the result of an assessment of digitalisation within the South African construction industry from the construction professionals' perspective. The study adopted a quantitative approach through a questionnaire survey carried out among construction professionals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Appropriate descriptive statistical tools were used in analysing the data gathered. The study revealed that the major stages of construction where digitalisation is evident are the design phase, and the feasibility phase. The major construction processes where it is mostly visible are, construction cost control, cost planning, preliminary cost estimate and building system analysis. In addition, the most significant benefits to be derived from digitalisation in the industry includes time-saving in construction projects delivery, increase productivity, increase speed of work, increase document quality, speeding up of response time, and simpler working methods. This study contributes to the body of knowledge as it reveals the happenings surrounding digitalisation within the South African construction industry; an aspect that seems to be lacking research attention.

Measures to improve the adoption of life cycle assessment in the South African construction industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 480-494
Author(s):  
Titus Ebenezer Kwofie ◽  
Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa ◽  
Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
The South ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Reality

Purpose In spite of the urge among stakeholders to increase sustainability in the built environment, the South African Construction Industry (SACI) continues to suffer from low level of adoption of strategies such as life cycle assessment (LCA) to increase sustainable building practices in building and infrastructure delivery, hence the need to increase the adoption of sustainable concepts and sustainability practices is an emergent necessity. This study aims to identify the measures that can increase the adoption of LCA toward overcoming the practical difficulties, theoretical concerns and structural differences encountered in making gains in achieving sustainable practices in the SA construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a deductive research design using a questionnaire survey with mean scores, Kruskal–Wallis and least square regression analysis done. Findings The study determined ten measures that can significantly influence about 88 per cent improvement in the success of LCA adopting in the SA industry. Also, there was a higher level of consensus in the findings which offers credence and good representation of the practical reality in the LCA adoption in South Africa. Originality/value These measures could be seen to embrace behavioural, social, technical and policy dimensions of LCA adoption. The findings are thus crucial in overcoming challenges to LCA methodologies in achieving sustainable building practices in the construction process in building and infrastructural delivery in SACI.

scholarly journals Challenges Facing Black Owned Small and Medium Construction Companies: A Case Study of Nelspruit – Mbombela Municipality, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 771-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aigbavboa C.O.
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
The South ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Survey Results

The purpose of the paper is to investigate current challenges and problems facing small and medium size contractors (SME) in Mbombela (Nelspruit) - Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. This study was necessitated because the importance of small and medium sized enterprises in national building and economic development is of paramount importance in the South Africa economic debate. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire survey which was distributed to Small and medium contractors within grade 1-4 of the South Africa Construction Industry Development Board. The survey results indicated that external factors such as high competition when tendering for construction jobs within the CIDB category is a major challenge the SME’s face’s in the procurement of work. Also, internal factors such as poor administrative management within the company, lack of skilled professionals and lack of capacity to deliver on certain project were the greatest challenges faced by the construction companies. The scope of this study is only focused on small and medium size contractors in Nelspruit (Mpumalanga province). In addition, the study is not focused on large established contractors in South Africa. The South African construction industry will continue to provide jobs but intervention is needed to develop the SME’s contractors who contribute a greatly to the economy.

scholarly journals Information Communication Technology (ICT) usage in the South African Construction Professional Practice: Lessons Learnt

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 652-659
Author(s):  
Aigbavboa C.O. ◽  
Lesito K.P. .
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
South African ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Document Management ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
The South ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of ICT in professional practice in the South African construction industry. This is with the view that ICT utilization in professional practice has the potential to facilitate better decision-making ability and savings in operating costs, amongst others. The data for the study was derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was obtained through the survey method, while the secondary data was obtained from the review of literature. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire survey distributed to a sample of 37 professionals in the construction industry. The results revealed that architectural, engineering and quantity surveying functions have been largely computerised. However, data and document management is still done through the traditional way of manual filing. Therefore, because construction industry professionals are a rich source of information about ICT and its improvement within the industry, the study provide valuable insight into the current usage of ICT in construction professional practise firms, which thus reveals the level of ICT adaptation in South African CI. Hence, this thus shows that ICT surveys can be used to determine the number of users of these systems, identify the core impacts ICT has had on day to day activities.

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