scholarly journals Acquisition of Materials and Performance of Road Construction Projects in Kenya: A Case of Nairobi County

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (32) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Msafiri Atibu Seboru ◽  
Angeline Sabina Mulwa ◽  
Dorothy Ndunge Kyalo ◽  
Charles M. Rambo
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Statistical Tools ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Engineering Firms ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Consulting Engineering

This study sought to establish the influence of acquisition of materials on performance of road construction projects in Kenya: A case of Nairobi County. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which acquisition of materials influences performance of road construction projects in Kenya. This study was anchored on the theory of controlling, theory of construction management, and stakeholder theory. The paradigm used was pragmatism and the research approach used was mixed methods. Cross sectional descriptive survey and correlational research design were used. The sample size was 74 senior engineers which comprised 30 senior engineers from consulting engineering firms and 44 senior engineers from construction companies; 74 managing directors which comprised 30 managing directors from consulting engineering firms and 44 managing directors from construction companies. A five point Likert type scale questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while interview guides were used to collect qualitative data. The statistical tools of analysis that were used for descriptive data were frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean and standard deviation while the statistical tools that were used for inferential statistics were Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation and Linear Regression. The Fisher (F) test was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that with R²=0.246, F(6,40)=2.173, p=0.066>0.05, H1 was rejected and it was concluded that acquisition of materials had no statistically significant influence on the performance of road construction projects. However, establishment of quantities of materials required had a statistically significant influence on the performance of road construction projects. The study recommends that organizations that deal with road construction should have appropriate policies on establishment of quantities of materials required.

Factor-based target cost modelling for construction projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 393-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aladdin Alwisy ◽  
Ahmed Bouferguene ◽  
Mohamed Al-Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Target Cost ◽  
Cost Modelling ◽  
Building Components ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Efficient Exploration ◽  
Design Estimate

Target value design (TVD) principles set the main guidelines for the design-estimate process that allow the efficient exploration of available construction alternatives, thereby helping construction companies to reduce cost-to-design, cost-to-build, and improve the quality of construction projects. The successful application of TVD requires a clear understanding of the interactions among construction components. The proposed target cost modelling approach introduces an algorithmic factor-based framework to advance TVD that supports the design-estimate process by examining the relationships among building components, their direct and indirect impact on project overall cost and value. Construction factors control compatibility and performance analysis among available construction alternatives. Costing factors contribute to the development of mathematical costing models capable of automatically calculating the cost of compatible alternatives. Finally, rule-based analysis, developed under an appropriate programming environment, executes alternative value analysis to develop a detailed estimate with an improved overall value for construction projects.

scholarly journals Exploration of workplace violence among nurses at a selected University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Banamwana
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

Abstract Background: Workplace violence is a global problem in the health sector especially in the hospitals affecting healthcare works' job satisfaction and performance. Method: The research approach used was quantitative descriptive cross-sectional design. The stratified random sampling method was used to recruit 195 participants among 379 nurses. Results: The findings revealed that 58.5 % (n=114) of nurses have experienced some types of workplace violence in the twelve months preceding the study among them 44.6% (=108) of nurses were verbally abused. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, it was concluded that the hospital management needs to be aware of workplace violence, develop and implement appropriate policies and strategies. These strategies will strengthen nurses' concentration towards their and will results in service delivery improvement. Keywords: Workplace, workplace violence, nurses

Compliance mediating role within road construction regulatory framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Mwelu ◽  
Peter R. Davis ◽  
Yongjian Ke ◽  
Susan Watundu
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Public Road ◽  
The Government

Purpose The propose of this study is to focus on the mediating role of compliance with procurement regulatory frameworks in implementing public road construction projects. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was adopted. Structured questionnaires were developed in a three-step process including generating items, purifying measurement items and validating measurement items. Variables were anchored on a five-point Likert scale because it is an efficient unidimensional scale that ensures all items measure the same thing and widely applicable in construction research. Findings The findings show that compliance with a public procurement regulatory framework significantly mediates the relationship between familiarity with a public procurement regulatory framework, monitoring activities, sanction on staff and contractors’ resistance to non-compliance and public road construction project success. However, compliance with a public procurement regulatory framework does not mediate the relationship between the professionalism of staff and perceived inefficiency with public road construction projects’ success. Research limitations/implications Limited mediation studies and examples in the public road construction subsector affected this study to comprehensively investigate and compare study findings. Furthermore, the study adopted a cross-sectional research design that limits responses to one point in time. Finally, the study missed out other participants in different organizations and departments that could have had relevant information. Social implications The study contributes to public procurement and construction management research fields by uncovering this strong mediating role of compliance with a public procurement regulatory framework that collectively would help the government to implement public road construction projects successfully. Because no single factor can reliably attain objectives, blending these factors through a hybrid governance system would enable the government to achieve value for money, increase the quality and quantity of paved roads and save funds that can be channeled to other priority sectors for economic development. Originality/value Despite scholarly efforts to establish project success factors, studies have been limited to factors directly impacting the project success without considering a mediating effect among the factors that affect the success of these projects.

ISO-9001 implementation and critical success factors of the Jordanian consulting engineering firms

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rateb Sweis ◽  
Nasser AL-Huthaifi ◽  
Afnan Alawneh ◽  
Wassim Albalkhy ◽  
Taghrid Suifan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Iso 9001 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Engineering Firms ◽  
High Level ◽  
Consulting Engineering

PurposeThis paper aims at studying the level of implementation of ISO 9001 in Jordanian consulting engineering firms and to what extent does the implementation effectiveness affect the success of the construction projects. Moreover, the paper seeks to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) that directly influence the ISO 9001 effectiveness in Jordanian consulting engineering firms.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire was constructed and distributed to a sample of 125 employees from six ISO 9001-consulting firms. After collecting the data, exploratory factor analysis was utilized to validate the latent constructs (CSFs, ISO 9001 Effectiveness, and Firm Performance).FindingsThe findings suggest that firms experience a high level of ISO 9001 effectiveness. Moreover, among the five identified CSFs; employee attributes, external environmental pressure and quality system attribute had a significant impact on the ISO 9001 effectiveness, while internal motivation and firm attributes were insignificant.Originality/valueThe significance of this study lies in exploring such topic in the developing countries, since most of current studies were focused on developed contexts such as the USA and UK. Therefore, this research acts as a response to calls in the current literature regarding considering different industries and contexts.

Community and public-private partnership projects in Uganda: community engagement, trust and performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Wanzige Magoola ◽  
Rogers Mwesigwa ◽  
Ruth Nabwami
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Data ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide the initial evidence of the relationship between the community and public-private partnership (PPP) projects by focusing on community engagement, trust and performance. Design/methodology/approach This study is cross sectional and correlational and it uses project level data that were collected by means of a questionnaire from a sample of 47 PPP projects in Uganda. Findings Results indicate that trust and community engagement are significantly associated with the performance of PPP projects. Research limitations/implications This study was cross-sectional, and thus monitoring changes in behaviour over time was not possible. The study used a quantitative research approach and this limits respondents from expressing their feelings fully. The study was conducted in Uganda and it is possible that the results of this study can be generalized to developing countries with environments similar to that of Uganda. Practical implications The results are important for PPP projects to understand the role that trust and community engagement play in as far as the performance of PPP projects is concerned. Originality/value Whilst there have been a number of studies on the performance of PPP projects, this study provides initial empirical evidence on the influence of trust and community engagement on the performance of PPP projects using evidence from PPP projects of an African developing economy – Uganda.

scholarly journals Compliance within a Regulatory Framework in Implementing Public Road Construction Projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noah Mwelu ◽  
Peter R Davis ◽  
Yongjian Ke ◽  
Susan Watundu
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Road ◽  
Infrastructure Project

The construction industry faces a lack of compliance with policy that in Uganda public road construction projects affects the attainment of Government goals and disrupts infrastructure project delivery. For decades, public entities have been known for a lack of compliance that manifest in: poor performance, poor personnel management, poor resource utilization and unprofessionalism. In Uganda, this has resulted in several restructures aimed at improving service delivery. Despite this, compliance remains an issue. The purpose of this study is to establish factors affecting compliance within a public procurement regulatory framework in public road construction projects and foster economic development. A cross-sectional research design including a structured self-administered questionnaire survey and PLS-SEM data analysis by SmartPLS3 was conducted. The research reveals that three factors positively affect compliance with a regulatory framework that govern public road construction projects; sanctions on staff, inefficiency of the public procurement regulatory framework and contractors’ resistance to non-compliance. While a further three factors have little positive effect on compliance; familiarity, monitoring activities and professionalism. Hence, the research contributes to construction management by showing that sanctions, perceived inefficiency and contractors’ resistance significantly enhance compliance within a public procurement regulatory framework.

scholarly journals Investigating the Influence of Social Class on Consumers’ Shopping Behaviour in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okonkwo Deborah Chinwendu ◽  
Moguluwa Chinwuba Shedrack
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Shopping Behaviour

Purpose - This research is a critical effort towards investigating the shopping behaviour of consumers among different social class categories in Nigeria. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the underlying factors influencing consumers’ shopping behaviour in order to establish if there is really a clear-cut distinction in this regard among the various social class categories. Design/methodology/approach - This study adopted the cross-sectional research approach and the survey research method. This study was carried out in order to determine whether there is a significant influence of social class on consumers’ choice of shopping outlet; and investigate the extent to which social class significantly influenced consumers’ organization of purchases, shopping style, and shopping pattern in Nigeria. A total of 384 copies of the questionnaire were distributed to individuals within Enugu metropolis, however only 350 copies were considered usable for data analysis. Respondents were selected using the convenience sampling technique. Descriptive statistical methods such as frequencies and percentages were used in data presentation. The chi-square and multiple regression statistics were used to analyse data. Findings - The results indicate that social class significantly influenced consumers’ choice of shopping outlet; social class did not in any way significantly influence consumers’ organization of purchases; occupation/profession did not have a significant influence on consumers’ behaviour with respect to their shopping style; and income and  occupation/profession did not have a significant influence on consumers’ behaviour with respect to their shopping pattern. Practical implications – This paper presents a spotlight on Nigerian consumers’ shopping pattern vis-à-vis the age long social class theory. It revisits the significance of the concept of social class to marketing practice with a strong emphasis on consumer behaviour. Originality/Value – The significance of this paper is apparent in its proven application of the age-long social class concept in understanding consumer behaviour patterns in these contemporary times. As such, it requires a re-visit by marketing scholars so as to bring it back to limelight considering its relevance to consumer behaviourial patterns.

scholarly journals Normative Action Influence on Performance of Biosocial Projects in Informal Settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Njeri Ngacha ◽  
Christopher Mwangi Gakuu ◽  
Kidombo Harriet Jepchumba
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Cultural Beliefs ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
National Council ◽  
Statistical Tools ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
The Law ◽  
And Performance

This study sought to establish Normative action influence on performance of biosocial projects in informal settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which normative action influence performance of biosocial projects in informal settlements. The variable indicators were: Social influence, Cultural beliefs, Psychological Factors and Social Empowerment. The study was premised on social cognitive theory. This study adopted pragmatism and mixed research approach to examine the normative action influence on performance of biosocial projects while descriptive and correlational research designs were adopted. Quantitative data was collected through structured self-administered questionnaires while qualitative data was collected through interview guides after the research instruments were pilot tested for validity through content related method and reliability through test-retest criterion. A sample size of 183 individuals from 61 biosocial projects were selected from a target sample of 70 biosocial projects in Nairobi County through Gakuu, Kidombo and Keiyoro, 2016 sampling formula (s= (z/e)2). Quantitative data was computed from structured questionnaires administered to 61 staff members working in the selected biosocial projects and 61 beneficiaries of the biosocial projects besides qualitative in- depth interviews with 61 state and non-state actors through purposive sampling technique. The statistical tools of analysis that were used for descriptive data were the arithmetic mean and the standard deviation while the statistical tools of analysis that were used for inferential statistics were Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (r) and Stepwise Regression (R2). F-tests were used to test hypotheses in the study. Tests of statistical assumptions were carried out before data analysis to avoid invalidation of statistical analysis. From the data analysis the null hypothesis that stated there is no significance relationship between normative action and performance of biosocial projects in informal settlements in Nairobi County was rejected with r = 0.586, F= 40.454 at p = 0.000<0.01 and concluded that there is significant relationship between normative action and performance of biosocial projects in informal settlements. In conclusion, there were noted key legislations supporting biosocial projects and biosocial community among them being constitution of Kenya 2010 that prohibits discrimination, The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2003, the act being an all-inclusive law encompassing rehabilitation rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. It creates the National Council of Persons with Disabilities as a statutory organ to oversee the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Law also obliges that both public and private sector employer’s reserve five percent of jobs for disabled persons. Conversely, there is correspondingly the National Security Act, chapter 258, Laws of Kenya, the law alludes to the benefit for worker incapacitated before the established retirement age and National Social Security Fund Act, 1965 (sessional paper number 5 of 1997), amended in 2001, the subject contains a provision which states that mental and physical disabilities shall not be considered as leading to work incapacity.

scholarly journals Labour productivity in Iranian construction projects

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 811-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parviz Ghoddousi ◽  
Omid Poorafshar ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Main Factors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to highlight the main factors and items affecting the productivity of construction projects, based on the perceptions of CEOs in construction companies in Iran. Second, the study compares the elicited CEOs’ perceptions against the findings of studies based on the views of such as project managers, middle managers and employees in other levels. Design/methodology/approach – The study drew upon literature on construction work to develop a conceptual model. Further, a total of 60 CEOs from road construction companies were surveyed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire to generate the data. The collated data were categorised and ranked according to the CEOs perceived level of importance using the relative importance index. Findings – The findings highlight the main factors and items affecting labour productivity in construction projects in Iran as perceived by CEOs, which are mainly of human resources management nature and could be attributed to motivation and managerial policy aspects. The study also recognises that factors associated with the working environment particularly safety and health are perceived as insignificant by Iranian CEOs which could be a concern for the Iranian construction industry. The discussions shed some light on the discrepancies between the perceptions of CEOs and previous studies in regards to major determinants of productivity in the construction context. Originality/value – This study is the first study aiming at discussing the perceptions of CEOs of construction companies active in construction projects in Iran. As such, the study highlights the standpoint of the main decision makers in construction companies in regards to labour productivity in the construction sector. Thus, the key contribution of the present study is providing insight into the perceptions of CEOs, who play the most vital role in strategic development of construction companies whereas previous studies have mostly focused on project or middle managers having a lower influence in determining the strategic plans of companies.

Understanding TQM implementation barriers involving construction companies in a difficult environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 1137-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Stuart Dilawo ◽  
Zahra Salimi
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Companies ◽  
Implementation Practices

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that affect TQM implementation in construction companies and it suggests solutions for TQM implementation in a difficult environment. Design/methodology/approach Studies were carried out at six large construction companies who ply their trade in Southern Africa and in-depth investigations were conducted to assess TQM implementation practices and associated TQM barriers. Interviews were conducted on directors and key personnel that play important roles in TQM implementation in their respective organisations. The empirical study also utilised a number of organisational documents which added rigour to the findings. Findings This study identified three core categories and ten main barriers affecting TQM implementation in Southern Africa construction companies. The core categories are motivation, infrastructure and penchants and tendencies while the factors are lack of quality support, poor TQM knowledge and TQM awareness, poor information sharing, temporary workers, overdependence on contract document, poor data collection measurement, undefined TQM roles and responsibilities, award to lowest bidder tendency, poor business environment and corruption. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted based on companies plying their trade in Southern Africa and mostly around Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. It does not study companies in Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa and Botswana. Practical implications TQM cannot be exported wholly from another region to a new setting without taking into consideration the local factors associated with that setting. For successful TQM implementation in construction in Southern Africa, characteristics of this region have to be known. This study illuminates a number of TQM implementation barriers associated with construction especially applied to this difficult environment. Application of this knowledge would enhance TQM and heighten competitive advantage initiatives. The proportions highlighted in this study therefore help build up the TQM implementation awareness. Social implications At society level, the findings of this study indicate societal problems such as corruption and business environment which require wide level approaches to deal with these barriers. In addition, if TQM applied in road construction projects, the quality of the roads will be improved, this in turn will have direct impact on quality of life in the society, better roads means easier access to hospitals, schools and public places, better transport and movements of goods and services, etc. It can also save money for the country in long run and economic benefits to the society. Originality/value The factors identified in this study are based on current TQM implementation practices at established construction companies in Southern Africa. They provide a practical basis for guiding TQM in construction companies operating in difficult environments.

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