AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE QUALITY OF HOUSING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
Stanley Fore ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Housing Construction ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Factors Influencing

The Quality of Biodiversity Inputs to EIA in Areas with High Biodiversity Value — Experience from the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 1550025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor Winston Hallatt ◽  
Francois Pieter Retief ◽  
Luke Alan Sandham
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Public Consultation ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Impact Prediction ◽  
International Trends ◽  
Report Quality ◽  
Insufficient Time

The quality of biodiversity inputs to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in areas with high biodiversity value was investigated by reviewing the quality of a sample of Biodiversity Impact Assessments (BIAs) in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), South Africa. The results suggest that while the overall performance was satisfactory, several inadequacies were evident, confirming international trends. Inadequacies relate to consideration of alternatives, public consultation, monitoring programmes, and gathering of biodiversity baseline data during inappropriate seasons and over insufficient time periods. Positive outcomes include the incorporation of ecosystems processes in baseline studies and assessment as well as the wide adoption of a precautionary approach to impact prediction. It is recommended that best practice and biodiversity guidance as developed and implemented in the Western Cape Province, be adopted as widely as possible in other provinces, and that the BIA practitioner community be alerted to revealed weakness of BIA report quality.

scholarly journals Resolution of management issues with mega projects

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Scelo Mhlongo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Logistic Management ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Effective Delivery ◽  
Management Issues

South Africa is a developing country with many construction projects that are being undetaken. The study aims to contribute to the resolution of issues around the management of projects. Previous studies have revealed that there are many failures in the erection of mega projects. This study was based in three provinces in South Africa - KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape. A mixed method research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitive methods was used to collect empirical data from stakeholders working on mega projects. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire and focused individual interviews. The study established that management issues such as the lack of stakeholder engagement and poor logistics planning play a role in the failure of mega projects. The level of use of this research targeted companies which are at 8GB and 9GB and within those companies, professionals such as project managers, architects, quantity surveyors, foremen and site agents. The study recommends that in order for mega projects to be successful, stake holders must mitigate turnaround time on taking decisions. Also, sound decisions must be taken for effective delivery of mega projects. Findings suggests that plant down time contributes to the failure of a project. Regular plant schedule checking is done daily prior to plant operation. Findings on logistic management revealed that the leading factor is public safety. It is recommended that safety of public around projects needs to be managed closely by responsible site agents and safety officers. The change of designs during construction must be avoided since this brings unexpected material expenditure which impacts on the project costing. All cost occurring during design changes must be charged to the architect fees, unless the changes were unforeseen.

Factors influencing alcohol use among female in-school adolescents in the Western Cape, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-586
Author(s):  
Thokozani J Hlomani-Nyawasha ◽  
Anna Meyer-Weitz ◽  
Catherine O Egbe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
High School ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Female Adolescent ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Drinking Behaviour ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Factors Influencing

The increasing levels and more frequent use of alcohol among females, especially those in younger age groups, is a worldwide concern. An in-depth understanding of this phenomenon is, however, limited. This study aimed to explore the factors influencing alcohol use among female adolescent students as guided by the ecological systems theory of Bronfenbrenner. Data were collected from 25 female high school students in Grade 9 in the Western Cape, South Africa, using five individual semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions with each group comprising 10 students. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study indicated that participants begin drinking at an early age and due to low self-esteem, which makes them prone to peer influence. Female adolescents are also influenced by various factors residing within the microsystem (family members and peers), mesosystem (lack of parental attention, weak mother-to-daughter relationship, influence of peers and dating partners), exosystem (media advertisement and lifestyle of celebrities), macrosystem (change in societal roles), and chronosystem (transition to higher education). Interventions are needed in schools to help female adolescents resist peer pressure and cope with the changing environment of high school. Also, parents should be educated on the influence of their drinking behaviour on their children in order for them to be more cautious when drinking at home. Adolescent students will benefit from educational materials on the harmfulness of alcohol use.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on local construction firms’ viability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olubimbola Oladimeji
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Factor Loading ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Local Construction ◽  
Prompt Attention

Purpose This paper aims to assess COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic influence in the 37 factors identified from extant literature as factors influencing the viability of local construction firms (LCFs). Design/methodology/approach A sample size of 65 staff of 31 LCFs that were awarded construction projects contracts in institutions in Nigeria was purposefully selected and accessed based on relevant predetermined criteria. Respondents’ views on factors determining the viability of LCFs were obtained. Factors known to be influenced by C-19 are 25 of the 37 factors rated on a five-point Likert scale of importance by the respondents. Mean scores were used to rank the factors and principal component analysis was used to obtain key component factors (CFs) influenced by the C-19 pandemic. Findings Six of the first ten “extremely important” and “very important” factors are known to be influenced by C-19 pandemic. A total of 8 CFs having 20 variables with factor loadings of more than 0.5 each were known to be influenced by C-19. The C-19 pandemic influenced LCFs’ cash flow and management of construction labour, plant and equipment amidst variables that had above 0.8 factor loading. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is the inability to conduct close contact interview during this period to obtain personal views on the influence of C-19 on LCFs. However, this does not reduce the quality of findings of this study, as there are valid literature basis hinging this study findings. Practical implications The paper recommends that all stakeholders pay prompt attention to the factors adversely affected by the C-19 pandemic to improve or at the least sustain the viability of LCFs. Originality/value This paper fulfils a present pertinent need of assessing the influence of the C-19 pandemic on various factors influencing the viability of construction firms.

Cultivar and planting date effects on the growth, yield and quality of strawberries in the Western Cape, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 407-410
Author(s):  
Patience Parehwa ◽  
Gavin Linsley-Noakes ◽  
Johan Jordaan ◽  
Jeanette Pauw
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Yield And Quality

scholarly journals Comparison of the effects of different transport conditions and lairage times in a Mediterranean climate in South Africa on the meat quality of commercially crossbred Large white x Landrace pigs

2010 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
L.C. Hoffman ◽  
P. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Drip Loss ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Energy Reserves ◽  
Road Transportation ◽  
Large White ◽  
Ambient Temperatures

Information on the effect of road transportation conditions and lairage times on the meat quality of pork under South African conditions is very sparse. In this investigation, the effects of 2 road conditions (rough road with frequent stops -A; smooth road, few stops - B) and 2 lairage holding periods (2 h and 24 h) on the physical meat quality attributes of commercially produced pigs during summer (ambient temperatures >30 °C) in the Western Cape (South Africa) were investigated. Pig meat from pigs transported on a road that caused more stress (A), had lower pH45 (measured 45 min post mortem) values after 2 h lairage than pigs transported over a smoother road. Pigs B had a lower muscle pH24 (measured 24 h post mortem) than group A, indicating that they had more glycogen reserves available for post mortem glycolysis. Road conditions A were more stressful resulting in a higher incidence of PSE pork, as shown by the percentage drip loss and the L* values. When the lairage period was increased to 24 h prior to slaughter, pigs transported under road conditions A had time to replenish their energy reserves and thepH45, drip loss and L* values were within an acceptable range. However, pigs transported under road conditions B had lower pH45 and higher pH24 values, indicating that the lairage period was too long and that energy reserves were depleted in order to adapt to the stressful conditions. Results from this investigation indicate that improvement of the transport/road conditions will result in better pork quality.

scholarly journals Factors influencing success of construction projects by emerging contractors in South Africa: a case of Mahikeng area

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1028-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nehemiah Mavetera ◽  
Kagiso Sekhabisa ◽  
Chipo Mavetera ◽  
Ireen Choga
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Project Management ◽  
South African ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Design Research ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Public Works ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
The South ◽  
Factors Influencing

Emerging contractors play a critical role in the South African economy in terms of rendering services to government especially in the construction sector. However, literature findings reveal that some of the SMMEs are unable to deliver their projects successfully due to project management issues. The focus of this study was to establish the project management factors influencing the successful delivery of construction projects by emerging contractors in the Mahikeng area of South Africa. A mixed design research method was used to collect, analyse and derive the findings. Findings revealed that projects do not comply with the time, scope, cost and quality requirements. Focus group interview results attributed these problems to lack of project management skills among the emerging contractors. It is recommended that more support initiatives from the South African Department of Public Works, and other key stakeholders in the construction industry be provided to these contractors

scholarly journals Significant Factors Influencing Quality Assurance Practices in Small and Medium-Sized Construction Projects in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 30-44
Author(s):  
Kgashane Stephen Nyakala ◽  
Thinandavha Thomas Munyai ◽  
Jan-Harm Pretorius ◽  
Andre Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Quality Assurance ◽  
South African ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Road Building ◽  
Factors Influencing

Although implementing quality assurance (QA) processes in construction play an important role in the South African economy has been acknowledged. However, constructions SMEs are faced with difficulties in improving rural road infrastructure and high-quality roads. Additionally, past research has failed to reach consensus on the construction process and socioeconomic settings in previously disadvantaged areas in South Africa, including the factors influencing negatively the performance of such factors. This research examines what factors facilitate or inhibit the success of construction SMEs and what actions can be taken to being distressed construction SMEs under control. The study adopted a quantitative research approach in which a three-section questionnaire was administered to 160 purposively chosen road- building experts in a South African construction SMEs. The questionnaire was structured into three parts, which sought the participants’ profile, identified the quality assurance practices (QAPs) incorporated in the construction SMEs’ road building programmes, and identified the factors that negatively influence the implementation of QA processes. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Furthermore, to determine the reliability of the various constructs, mean scores, descriptive statistics and standard deviations were obtained. The empirical findings established eight QAPs that were reliable and valid for implementation processes that can control or minimise their causes of poor quality in projects undertaken by construction SMEs, level of skill acquisition; project planning and control techniques; project construction design; process implementation and process improvement; financial management; organisational structures; involvement of people; and quality standards and measurements. The eight factors attained high Cronbach Alpha values above the recommended 0.70 which indicates high internal consistencies among the sub-scales. Findings from this study should be useful to managers in similar environments may use the results of this study as either diagnostic tools or as a reference benchmark for strategic interventions in solving construction projects related problems. Furthermore, the researchers also recommend that these practices are for quality assurance in construction projects undertaken by SMEs in South Africa.

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