The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodological problems involved in planning and designing housing programmes and to discuss the cognitive structure and context of…
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodological problems involved in planning and designing housing programmes and to discuss the cognitive structure and context of residential housing through a comprehensive questionnaire that examined various aspects of the housing environment. In the last two decades, Jordan has established several housing programmes consisting of multistory buildings for the limited income group. Such new programmes yield conflicts and face cultural constraints that need to be understood and resolved. Based on 400 mailed survey questionnaires, the major focus of the study has been the determination of the needs and preferences of the clients in housing and suggesting responses that are empathetic and consistent with their lifestyles, values and family patterns. The key to establishing a successful housing sector appears to be the ability of developers to adequately identify these issues. Several factors of cognitive structure were attained: space and the high cost of housing are the key considerations from a client's point of view; the interior design of buildings is below expectations; and outdoor space and materials used for the exterior are also important factors in determining a preference for some housing features. Other factors such as exterior appearance, functionality, kitchen size, type of community and neighbourhood, housing proximity to community facilities, and heating systems must also receive adequate consideration. Another important implication is that individuals within the same income and educational level may not necessarily share the same assumptions with regard to their needs and aspirations. Therefore, a clearly defined strategy will help designers and managers in a young expanding sector to establish various and high quality housing programmes; hence, the better the image, the more able it is to attract customers. The findings identify some of the barriers that could limit the acceptance of new housing features, and offer insights into how such features could be effectively explained and linked to the wants and needs of clients. Therefore, programme managers and developers must understand the sources of competitive advantage in the housing sector; this can make the difference in gaining and retaining customers. The customer's perception is a complex construct, and there are significant interrelations between housing design and human behaviour of which we are almost completely ignorant.
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Samuel Famiyeh, Charles Teye Amoatey, Ebenezer Adaku and Collins Sena Agbenohevi
In Ghana, the duration of construction projects from inception to completion is becoming a great concern, recently, especially among clients and beneficiaries, because of the…
Abstract
Purpose
In Ghana, the duration of construction projects from inception to completion is becoming a great concern, recently, especially among clients and beneficiaries, because of the rising interest rates, inflation, development plan targets, among other factors. Hence the need to understand the causes of delays and cost overrun in the construction sector has become more important than ever. This study therefore aims to identify the major factors underlying time and cost overruns in projects related to the education sector in Ghana to proffer practical solutions in addressing them.
Design/methodology/approach
The study conducted a survey among clients’ consultants and representatives of the contractors working on about 60 government school projects. A relative importance index was used to determine the relative effects of the factors causing construction time and cost overruns.
Findings
The key factors causing construction time overrun were: financial problems, unrealistic contract durations imposed by clients, poorly defined project scope, client-initiated variations, under-estimation of project cost by consultants, poor inspection/supervision of projects by consultants. Other factors were underestimation of project complexity by contractors, poor site management, inappropriate construction methods used by contractors and delays in the issuance of permits by government agencies. Factors affecting cost overruns were financial difficulty by client, delays in payments of completed works, variations in designs, lack of communications plans, poor feasibility and project analysis, poor financial management on site and material price fluctuations.
Research limitations/implications
The research was limited to only the educational sector projects.
Practical implications
Practically, this study highlights for the construction sector the critical factors causing project time and cost overruns in Ghana. Identification of these factors provides the basis for pragmatic solutions to enhance the chances of project success.
Social implications
The identification and solutions to project time and cost overruns, especially for educational sector projects, contribute toward making public goods more affordable and accessible to most citizens, particularly in developing countries.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the debate on factors causing project time and cost overruns in the construction sector especially from a developing country’s perspective.
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Charles Teye Amoatey and Alfred Nii Okanta Ankrah
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of road construction delays in Ghana and identify appropriate mitigation measures.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causes of road construction delays in Ghana and identify appropriate mitigation measures.
Design/methodology/approach
The initial approach involved an empirical analysis of 48 road projects to quantify the extent of time. This was followed by a survey of the perception of road agency and donor partner officials of the critical causes of road project delays.
Findings
About 70 per cent of road projects experience delays and 52 per cent experience cost overruns. The average time overrun and cost overruns of road projects in Ghana was 17 months and US$1.15m (or 22.5 per cent), respectively. The five most critical causes of road construction delays were delay in finance and payment of completed work by owner (client-related); inadequate contractor experience (contractor-related); changes in scope by the owner during construction (client-related); delay to furnish and deliver the site to the contractor (client-related); and inflexible funding allocation for project items (donor-related).
Research limitations/implications
The most critical constraint of this study is the fact that findings are based on only the views of industry professional experts. It may be assumed that despite using broadly used terminology to refer to the causes of project delays, the interpretations by respondents may have differed from those intended. Further research could look at the correlation between time overrun and cost overrun using principle component analysis.
Practical implications
The identified delay factors are not unique to the road sector. From both academic and practical perspectives, the results emphasizes on the need for a holistic and integrated risk management model for the entire construction industry in Ghana.
Originality/value
The paper examined the causes of road project delays in the Ghanaian context and recommended remedial measures.
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J. McCord, M. McCord, P.T. Davis, M. Haran and W.J. Rodgers
The purpose of this paper is to investigate delay factors within private housing construction in Northern Ireland. Delays are inherent throughout the construction industry and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate delay factors within private housing construction in Northern Ireland. Delays are inherent throughout the construction industry and create major difficulties in terms of project performance and client satisfaction. Whilst a voluminous body of international literature has investigated pertinent delay factors within construction projects, there is a relative paucity of research which offers a more delineated exploration of delay factors affecting private housing development schemes, particularly in the UK context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies questionnaire survey research to examine the relative importance of 75 delay attribute factors for housing construction projects in Northern Ireland. The approach applies both a relative rank and principal component analysis to distil the key factors impinging upon the delay process in housing construction.
Findings
The key finding from this research is that delays within the housing construction sector in Northern Ireland can be attributed to deficiencies in site management, ineffective communication strategies and a lack of coordination between key stakeholders involved in the construction process.
Originality/value
The study adds to the existing knowledge base and provides stakeholders with information on factors, which, if properly risk assessed and understood, can improve housing construction performance. The findings are of relevance to construction industry practitioners, policy makers and researchers with lessons learned serving as a basis for future policy development as well as affording an information platform for improving the efficiency and expediency of housing provision internationally.