scholarly journals Evaluation of Contractors’ Financial Ability: A Remedy for Performance of Road Construction Infrastructural Projects for Sustainable Cities

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
James Mushori ◽  
Charles Mallans Rambo ◽  
Charles Misiko Wafula

Construction of roads in Kenya, particularly done by local contractors, has adversely been faced with serious issues to do with cost overruns, longer periods in completion and above all poor quality upon completion. However, performance of roads in the post-delivery or post construction stage has not keenly been assessed or studied despite poor workmanship. Although financial aspect has been associated with completion road construction projects, studies have not used this predictor variable to study performance. The aim of the study was to establish the influence of financial ability of contractors and performance of road construction infrastructural projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. Both descriptive survey research and correlation research designs were adopted in this study. A target population of 460 comprising all public service vehicle drivers plying Eastern Bypass, and Outer-ring roads in Nairobi, as well as the contractors and engineers from the construction firms in Nairobi County. A sample of 210 was drawn from both categories of respondents and served with interview schedules out of which 153 were returned representing 72.8%. Results from the simple linear regression model revealed that contractors’ financial ability, explains 44.7% total variation in the performance of road construction infrastructural projects. This relationship was established to be lineally positive and strong (r=0.669) and also significant (P=0.000<0.05). The study findings play a vital role in construction project management during evaluation process of selecting effective contractors for better road performance.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Salim Al Adawi ◽  
Hussin Yahia

Cost overrun is a common phenomenon in construction projects of any country, be it in developing or developed countries. This issue is a critical issue that impacts a project's success. It, therefore, needs serious attention from all the participants in the construction project to keep the projects in safe mode, to be completed within its limited cost, time, and performance. Cost overrun has a negative impact on construction project performance, which is because the construction industry is vast and complex. Any difficulty occurring during the project's life cycle leads to other problems in various parts of the project. Studies by many researchers’ cost overruns by literature review, and according to their studies suggested the most cost overrun causes. The aim of this study is to identify the most critical factors leading to cost overruns on road projects in Oman, and then provide suggestions to resolve them.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap ◽  
Shi Min Tan

Construction practitioners recognise that rework is undesirable due to the detrimental effects. While rework literature has examined rework causation factors in construction projects, the problem continues to plague the industry resulting in poor delivery performance. To better understand this phenomenon and given the scarcity of Malaysian-based rework study, a questionnaire survey involving 130 Malaysian construction practitioners (consultants, contractors and clients) were undertaken to obtain feedback about nature, implications, causes and solutions for rework. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques to prioritise the variables studied. From the analyses, rework is a causal factor for delays and cost overruns, higher wastage and productivity inhibitor. The findings revealed the leading causes of rework are poor quality management, improper planning, lack of communication, design changes and poor subcontractor management. Some practical rework minimisation approaches are also suggested to better manage and prevent rework towards enhanced project performance.


2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godwin Iroroakpo Idoro

This study compares the levels of planning and the outcome of projects procured by direct labour and traditional contract procurement options. For this comparison, a survey of 130 projects was carried out. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using percentage, mean and t-test. The study discovers that whereas the levels of conception and overall planning done in projects procured by the two options are the same, the levels of design and construction planning done in DBB and DL projects differ. The study also discovers that the time-overruns of projects procured by the two methods differ but their cost-overruns are the same. The study concludes that projects procured by DBB and DL options differ in planning and time-overrun and suggests improved planning at the design stage when DL option is adopted and improved planning at the construction stage when DBB option is adopted. Santrauka Šiame darbe lyginami planavimo lygiai ir projektų rezultatai, kai naudojamas tiesioginis darbas ir taikomas tradicinis pirkimų metodas (projektavimas–konkursas–statyba; angl. Design-Bid-Build, D-B-B). Palyginimui atlikta 130 projektų apklausa. Duomenys surinkti naudojant tam tikros struktūros anketas ir išanalizuoti pagal procentus, vidurkius ir t testą. Atliekant tyrimą nustatyta, kad abiem paslaugų pirkimo atvejais projektų sumanymo etapas ir bendras planavimas yra vienodo lygio, tačiau tradicinį pirkimų metodą pasirinkusiuose projektuose projektavimo ir statybų planavimo etapų lygis skiriasi nuo tiesioginį darbą pasirinkusių projektų etapų lygio. Atliekant tyrimą paaiškėjo, kad abiem atvejais laikas viršijimas skirtingai, tačiau sąnaudos viršijamos vienodai. Daroma išvada, kad projektams taikant skirtingus pirkimo būdus (tradicinį metodą arba tiesioginio darbo variantą) skiriasi planavimas ir vėlavimas; taip pat siūloma, kaip pagerinti projektavimo etapo planavimą, kai naudojamas tiesioginio darbo variantas, ir kaip pagerinti statybų etapo planavimą, kai taikomas tradicinis metodas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1184
Author(s):  
Ashem Emmanuel Egila ◽  
Oluwaseun Abdulakeem Balogun ◽  
Saheed Olanrewaji Yusuf

Poor road infrastructure in Nigeria is a significant challenge, just like poverty, insecurity, and unemployment. The construction of road in the country is characterized by numerous challenges throughout the project life cycle. Some of these challenges are project delay and cost overrun, corruption and fraud, faulty contractual process among others. Objectives of this study are to identify factors influencing delays and cost overruns in road construction project, to rank these factors base on their impacts and importance, and to suggest conservative ways to address the future challenges that can result from delays and cost overruns of future road construction projects. The research instruments include in-depth literature review, fieldwork, questionnaire administration, and interview. Inferential statistics such as Relative importance index (RII) and Mean Value techniques were used to analyze collected data. The result of the study identified factors influencing delays and cost overruns in road construction projects as; man related, money-related, machine-related, material related, environmental-related, and method related factors. Analysis using RII and MV ranked man and money related as the highest factors for delay and cost overrun respectively. Hence, the research recommends that the Government should create an enabling environment, making suitable policy for the construction company to operate.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tirivavi Moyo ◽  
Benviolent Chigara

Purpose Increased waste during projects execution has led to time and cost overruns within the Zimbabwean construction projects industry. However, contextual barriers to lean construction implementation are yet to be established for derivation of effective remedies. The purpose of this paper is to report on a study that sought to determine barriers to lean construction implementation and assess the existence of statistically significant differences because of gender, designation and educational levels of respondents. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was administered on construction professionals for the collection of quantitative data. Factor analysis was used to reveal interrelated significant sets of barriers to lean construction implementation. Non-parametric statistical methods were also used to determine significant differences because of demographic variables. Findings Integration- and performance-related, human capital management–related, quality management–related barriers were determined as the highest-ranked of the nine significant components. Significant differences because of gender, designation and educational levels were non-existent for aggregated barriers, generally indicating consensus on the barriers. However, individual barriers showed inadequacies in management requirements for lean construction implementation from architects and those with diplomas and degrees. Research limitations/implications The determination of barriers establishes the knowledge for construction policy evaluation for enhanced performance of the construction industry. However, because of the exploratory nature of this study, the insights of clients were not considered. Originality/value Context-specific barriers to lean construction implementation were determined for consequent construction policy improvements in the construction industry.


2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 828-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riduan Yunus ◽  
Md. Asrul Nasid Masrom ◽  
Abd Halid Abdullah ◽  
Fajaruddin Mustakim

Most construction projects have been recognized as underperformance due to the increase numbers of delays, cost overruns and poor quality construction. The inability of contractors to meet clients’ expectation has been found as one of the main causes that contribute to the project failure. Alternatively, key players are encouraged to shift from the conventional method towards Industrialized Building System (IBS). Also known as prefabrication, previous researchers proved that IBS is able to minimize on-site works and increase the building quality in a controlled environment. However, the take up rate of IBS in Malaysian construction industry is still low as compared to developed countries basically due to incapability of contractors in mastering an advanced technology and their negative perceptions in IBS implementation. In addition, a limited subjective performance measurement, particularly to evaluate contractors' satisfaction level in implementing the IBS construction is still neglected. This is a review paper for an on-going research in examining contractor satisfaction levels on the IBS implementation and its attributes. The measurements are based on contractor perception instead of the typical approaches that solely concerned with objective measures (time, cost and quality). As a result, several attributes that integrate sustainability elements (economical, environmental, social, and institutional factors) are also determined. These attributes are then developed through systematic analysis to enhance the ability of IBS in improving contractors’ satisfaction. The developed framework is expected to help the project team in performing IBS projects more efficiently, ensuring the quality meet the standards and encouraging effective communication between participants. Moreover, the findings will be useful to assist contractors in enhancing competitiveness, increase company reputation and improve project deliveries to meet global challenges.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-138
Author(s):  
Peter Waweru Mburu ◽  
Abednego Oswald Gwaya ◽  
Stephen Onyango Diang’a

The effective performance of any Construction Project to a large extent depends on how deliberate, well thought, planned and managed works programming is developed and implemented. Effective works programming helps those doing the project to make sure that it is done within scope, time and cost. This study adopted a case study design and simple random sampling technique to identify 102 respondents from a target population of 132 respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed. The findings were; there was a strong correlation between the predictor variable on the dependent variable. The ANOVA analysis indicated a P-value of 0.000. Therefore, the prevalence of working program applicability, adherence to effective work programming and knowledge of work programming techniques had a significant impact on the effectiveness of construction projects delivery. The study rejected the null hypothesis that the prevalence of working program applicability did not affect the delivery of construction management projects and knowledge of work programming did not affect the delivery of construction management projects in Kiambu County. However, the study failed to reject the null hypothesis that adherence to work programming did not affect the delivery of construction management projects in Kiambu County. Therefore, the study concluded that the prevalence of working program applicability significantly affected the delivery of construction management projects in Kiambu County and knowledge of work programming significantly affected the delivery of construction management projects in Kiambu County. The primary focus of this study was injecting solutions through integrating technology to enhance efficiency in real-time monitoring and evaluation. With the model of planning, control, reporting and proactive remedial action for the performance of construction projects


Author(s):  
John Malu Nzioki ◽  
Mary Nyawira Mwenda

Project failure is an increasingly worrying challenge in Kenya. In implementation of exchequer funded building construction projects, the challenge is real. The study examined the influence of risk management practices on the performance of exchequer funded building construction projects in Machakos County. Little research has been conducted on risk identification and its influence on performance of exchequer funded building construction in Machakos County, this study intended to on build onto the already existing body of knowledge. The study was informed by Agency theory and it employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 585 National Construction Authority registered contractors and sample size was 232 respondents. In this case the sample selected is deemed to be representative enough of the whole population and therefore valid and genuine generalizations can be made. Methodology involved in collection and analysis of primary data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Quantitative data was tabulated and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Test statistics computed to establish degree of relationship between the variables was Fisher test. The findings depict that risk identification leads to the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects by factor of 0.237 with P values of 0.008. At 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, this is statistically significant as the P-Value is lower than 0.05. The results for testing the hypothesis were (P=0.008<0.05)as the P-Value is lower than 0.05. The study therefore rejects the null hypothesis. The study concludes that there is significant positive relationship between that risk identification leads to the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects. Further research can be done to assess the risk identification in other county governments and national government projects in Kenya and other countries in order to establish whether the explored factors can be generalized to influence the performance of exchequer funded building construction Projects. The findings of this paper will be used to serve as a longer-term safeguard against risks in construction of buildings in Kenya.


Author(s):  
Parviz Ghoddousi ◽  
Omid Poorafshar ◽  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini

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.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 04014035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E. D. Love ◽  
Chun-Pong Sing ◽  
Brad Carey ◽  
Jeong Tai Kim

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