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Article
Publication date: 1 May 2006

Mundia Muya, Andrew D.F. Price and Francis T. Edum‐Fotwe

As the development agenda for sub‐Sahara Africa (SSA) gains momentum, it has become necessary to refocus attention on effective and sustainable human resource development…

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Abstract

Purpose

As the development agenda for sub‐Sahara Africa (SSA) gains momentum, it has become necessary to refocus attention on effective and sustainable human resource development strategies for the construction sector in the region that include craft skills. Aims to provide insight into the availability and quality of construction craft skills in Zambia, and the SSA region in general.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Zambia as a country case study, results of a survey that was designed to assess the construction industry's perceptions of the quality and availability of construction craft skills in Zambia are presented. The surveyed contractors' support for the introduction of a sector‐specific training levy in Zambia was also investigated and is reported.

Findings

Findings point to both poor quality and shortage of construction craft skills in Zambia. Results suggest that construction sector‐specific training levy would be the most viable, sustainable and industry‐wide supported option for supplementing government funding in the training of construction craft skills in Zambia, and probably in the SSA region.

Research limitations/implications

The survey was exploratory in nature and depth, and SSA is a vast and diverse region. The results of the case study may not correctly reflect construction skills exigencies across the whole SSA region.

Originality/value

The results provide information and advice for both policy makers and contractors concerned with construction crafts skills issues in Zambia, and SSA in general.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 13 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 5 September 2008

Winston Shakantu, Mundia Muya, John Tookey and Paul Bowen

The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature and extent of the current practice of logistics in the construction industry and to investigate the utility of reverse…

3286

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the nature and extent of the current practice of logistics in the construction industry and to investigate the utility of reverse logistics in a construction context.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot study was utilised to devise a method for the identification and measurement of parameters for incorporation within a process of construction site logistics optimisation. Data on vehicular movements were collected from seven sites in Cape Town. The data were used to design a flow model of material delivery and waste removal vehicular movements.

Findings

The results showed that in terms of transport distribution, of all vehicle movements observed, 62.6 per cent were classified as material delivery and 26.3 per cent as construction and demolition (C&D) waste removal. This ratio approximates to 2.4 materials delivery journeys to one waste removal journey. An optimised integrated materials delivery and waste removal logistics model is presented.

Practical implications

The research has highlighted the potential for integration of building materials and C&D waste logistics. Based on the ratio of 2.4:1, up to 26.3 per cent of vehicular movements transiting sites could be eliminated by allowing material delivery vehicles to back‐haul waste to points of disposal, reuse or reclamation.

Originality/value

The potential use of “reverse logistics” in a construction context is demonstrated, as is the scope for the utilisation of spare capacity through the application of the reverse logistics concept and the possible reduction in unit costs and numbers of empty vehicular movements.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 15 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

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Article
Publication date: 2 January 2025

Modish Kumar and Santosh Kumari

This paper aims to evaluate the available research to identify the factors contributing to the delays in road construction projects. The primary goals of this study are to…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the available research to identify the factors contributing to the delays in road construction projects. The primary goals of this study are to determine the critical elements that cause delays in road projects, and to investigate the appropriate corrective actions suggested to lessen the delays in road projects. The study also assesses the theoretical background, methodology, limitations and future research prospects suggested in relevant research works related to causes for delays in road construction.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted systematic literature review in three steps: collecting relevant literature, descriptive analysis and content analysis. This study used keyword analysis and thematic content analysis on some relevant selected studies. NVivo 12 was used for thematic content analysis utilising description-focused coding, the text was thematically analysed, three other software: MS Excel, VOSviewer and Mendeley were also used for analysis in this study.

Findings

The findings revealed that road projects around the world experienced delays and the reasons for delays are many. After the analysis of literature, number of factors causing delays in road projects were identified, which were then divided into seven broad groups using thematic content analysis. The investigation shows that variations in design and inefficient management of project by contractor including inadequate planning and scheduling are the top two factors of delay. The most frequent suggested corrective measure to reduce delay was employing technically competent employees and contractor should conduct thorough survey on his part, rather than just accepting the survey report at face value.

Research limitations/implications

This review paper is addressing the issues related to delays in road construction projects and suggests remedial measure to reduce them. The paper will be useful for researchers, industry professionals, academician and policy makers concerned with the road construction projects. The study conducted the review of selected relevant articles related to causes of delay in road construction projects for qualitative analysis. The research articles using quantitative methods and studies conducted on other types of infrastructure projects were not included; however, findings from this study may be applicable to other construction projects as well.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper are useful in the fields of economy, industry, academia and public policies. The paper thoroughly examined the factors causing delays in highway projects, offering insights for practitioners to identify best practices and mitigation strategies. These findings can guide investment and policy decisions for highway infrastructure projects, promoting a holistic approach to development. Additionally, this paper can help enhance research methods in studies about delays in road infrastructure projects.

Originality/value

The literature review in the paper used a qualitative method. The causes of road project delays, remedial action, context, methodology and theoretical foundation were all examined in this paper.

Details

Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-4387

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