The construction industry faces significant workplace safety-related challenges, with developing countries experiencing disproportionately high accident rates. While Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies show individual promise for safety enhancement, their integrated application remains underexplored in developing contexts. This study employs a mixed-method approach combining systematic literature review with quantitative survey validation to investigate BIM-IoT integration advantages for construction safety in South Africa. The literature review analyzed peer-reviewed articles published between 2010-2025, while the empirical phase surveyed construction professionals from CIDB-registered companies. Data analysis utilized exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to validate identified advantages. The systematic review identified fifteen key advantages, with "improved safety monitoring" as the most cited advantage, followed by "real-time decision-making" and "hazard identification". Quantitative validation confirmed strong literature-practice alignment, with the same three advantages ranking highest among practitioners (mean scores 4.28, 4.22, and 4.19 respectively), confirming universal applicability of core advantages. Statistical analysis revealed five underlying dimensions: Real-time Monitoring & Control, Safety Planning & Design, Training & Communication, Investigation & Reporting, and Compliance & Economics. All factors demonstrated excellent reliability. Context-specific insights revealed that South African professionals prioritize regulatory compliance and cost considerations more than global literature suggests, while design-phase hazard elimination ranked lowest despite theoretical recognition. Despite moderate technology familiarity, significant implementation gaps exist, indicating substantial opportunities for safety improvement. This research provides comprehensive quantitative validation of BIM-IoT safety advantages in a developing country context, offering evidence-based priorities for technology adoption and policy development. Keywords: Advantages, BIM-IoT, Integration, Construction Safety, South Africa

Smart lighting is emerging in student housing across Africa. This study assesses the drivers and satisfaction of smart lighting in university housing in Southern Ghana. The study used an embedded research method, including a survey of 334 student residents and interviews with 10 housing managers across five purpose-built student housing facilities at five selected public universities in Southern Ghana. The Relative Importance Index and thematic analysis were used as data analytical techniques. The findings reveal that accommodation needs primarily drove the adoption of smart lighting in student housing. The satisfaction levels of smart lighting were limited to lighting controls in lavatories, bedrooms, study areas, the kitchen, and common areas. However, dissatisfaction with lighting was associated with adjusting to the minimum light intensity and controlling artificial lighting. Technically, the limited influence of facilities management factors on smart lighting adoption poses a significant risk to energy sustainability if left unaddressed. Interviews reveal that students' lack of knowledge impacts their satisfaction with and usage of smart lighting systems. At a minimum, student housing managers and students would need education on smart lighting. Keywords: Energy sustainability, smart lighting, sustainable design, student housing, Technology Acceptance Model

This study examines the link between financial challenges and premature construction contract termination in Ghana’s construction industry. The study is grounded in Keynesian economics, which offers insights into the broader economic impacts of these financial challenges, and cash flow management theories, which help analyze the financial viability and liquidity issues that exacerbate these risks. Additionally, financial risk management models are employed to assess the risks related to banking disputes and economic instability, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the financial difficulties contributing to contract termination. Employing a quantitative research approach, Data from 315 industry professionals revealed three key dimensions of financial challenges: Financial Integrity Risks (FIR), Financial Mismanagement and Economic Instability Risks (FMEIR), and Financial Risk Due to Banking Disputes and Instability (FRBDI). Structural equation modelling confirmed the robustness of the proposed model, highlighting the strong correlations between these financial risks and contract termination. The findings emphasize the need for proactive risk management and comprehensive contractual strategies to prevent contract disputes and ensure project viability. For stakeholders in the construction industry, this study underscores the practical importance of implementing rigorous financial risk management strategies. By enhancing project planning, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring robust contractual arrangements, the industry can mitigate the adverse effects of financial instability and improve overall project outcomes.

Corruption persists in the construction industry, impeding service delivery. This study aimed to understand corruption among practitioners within the South African (SA) construction industry. The study included practitioners in the construction industry (private and public sector) operating across seven associations in Johannesburg, SA. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling method. Participants completed an open-ended, semi-structured interview (12 questions), conducted face-to-face and took 45 to 60 minutes. There were a total of 11 participants. Respondents felt collusion exists due to poor ethics and that poor ethics among built environment stakeholders result in unethical behaviour. There was consensus that corruption affects the economic growth of SA and that small, micro, and medium enterprises are vulnerable when the economy performs poorly. Participants agreed that corruption could result in delayed or no completion of projects, affect quality standards and that incompetent contractors result in poor performance. Participants felt that corrupt practices result in government departments paying contractors late. On the other hand, whistleblowing rarely occurs due to its risky nature. There was agreement that unethical practices affect securing contracts during procurement and that the manipulation of procurement processes results from a lack of transparency. Corruption is a challenge in the SA construction industry and needs to be eliminated. Key Words: construction research; corruption; South Africa; construction industry

Construction project Management tools and Techniques (CPMTT) are vital for the success of construction projects. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of studies that examined the factors influencing the choice of CPMTT in developing countries, particularly, Tanzania. The objective of the study was to analyze the factors influencing the choice of CPMTT in Tanzanian public infrastructure projects, with the aim to fill the knowledge gap. The study was descriptive in nature and employed a mixed method approach. Using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, data was collected from 60 out of 70 Project management practitioners including Consultants and project Coordinators within Dar-es-salaam Metropolitan Development Projects (DMDP) and similar infrastructure projects. Fifty valid responses were received equivalent to 83% response rate and interviews were done. Quantitative data from respondents was analyzed using IBM SPSS v25. The directed content analysis method was employed for qualitative data from 10 Resident Engineers to supplement the quantitative results. Using factor analysis, four groups of organization support, ease of access and usefulness of tools, fulfilment of project objectives, and project environment and idea generation were determined to influence the choice of CPMTT. Project managers frequently choose tools that are easily accessible without considering the organization's project objectives or resource commitment. The findings could be used as a guide for project practitioners to critically assess the areas of weakness and select CPMTT that can help address those weaknesses and hence improve project delivery in Tanzania, an unexplored context. Project managers are called to re-imagine project needs based on priority and select the CPMTT that satisfies the needs based on experience, skills and project objectives as crucial factors in the selection of CPMTT rather than using their discretion. This would improve the delivery of infrastructure projects and, hence, performance outcomes in the construction sector in Tanzania and other emerging countries. This study was limited to DMDP public infrastructure projects in Tanzania. Keywords: Construction Project Management Tools and Techniques (CPMTT), Decision analysis, mixed-methods, Tanzania

Due to Nigeria's housing shortage, which has been increasing since the late 20th century and currently stands at 20 million units with a loss rate of 780,000 units annually, Nigeria's construction industry has been under pressure to adopt a modern, timely, and premium construction strategy. This research aims to assess how the dry construction method affects mass housing delivery in developing countries, focusing on Nigeria. This study employed a qualitative research approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with sixteen experts and specialists in dry construction and housing who work for various organisations in Nigeria. The study concluded that, although dry construction is infrequently used in developing countries, it offers significant potential for emerging economies and mortgage companies to ensure prompt housing delivery. By reducing building time and improving housing accessibility, dry construction can address the current challenges of delivering affordable housing in Nigeria. To successfully implement the dry construction method in closing the housing deficit in Nigeria, the research also noted that the government must change its priority beyond direct house development towards creating a conducive framework for the industry. This study presents key stakeholders in the housing sector with the information they need to adopt and implement the dry construction method to close the housing gap, especially in Nigeria, which has received less attention.

The construction industry, a significant contributor to global economies, is projected to yield substantial economic output by 2030 of around $135 trillion. Central to construction is concrete, a widely used material. Ready-mix concrete (RMC), a specialised form of concrete, is gaining prominence due to its rapid setting and superior quality. In Zambia, the increasing demand for RMC highlights the need for stringent quality management to hedge potential structural risks. This study aimed to determine the quality management in ready-mix concrete production in Zambia. Employing a parallel convergent mixed-methods research design to achieve the objectives, qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews and desk study and quantitative data was gathered through a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The findings of the study reveal that while guidelines exist, adherence varies. Regulatory bodies for standards, engineering and construction play pivotal roles in overseeing RMC quality. However, their execution faces inconsistencies and challenges due to limited resources and a lack of sense of responsibility. Quality control practices were investigated unveiling variations in forward, immediate, and retrospective control phases. Notable trends in proper storage and equipment calibration showed a commitment to precision. Immediate control practices, encompassing sampling and non-compliance management, demonstrated both positive aspects and areas for improvement. Retrospective control showed commitment to comprehensive strength testing and minimal towards split cylinder testing and on-site slump evaluation. In the realm of quality assurance (QA), RMC facilities show substantial adherence to documented QA standard operating procedures and thorough raw material inspections. However, deficiencies in batching and mixing practices and limited adoption of modern weighing systems require improvement. The study recommends creating an industry association for collaboration, enhancing standardised practices, introducing third-party quality audits, and proposing compulsory RMC standards to boost progress in the Zambian RMC industry. Key Words: Quality Management, Ready Mix Concrete, Observation, Desk Study, Zambia.

The construction industry, as a cornerstone of economic development, plays a pivotal role in shaping infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life globally. This thirteenth issue of the Journal of Construction Business and Management presents a collection of research articles by twelve authors from South Africa, Tanzania, the United Kingdom and Zambia. The articles examine the intricacies of procurement strategies, quality management, project management tools, corruption and innovative construction methods. These articles collectively highlight the pathway towards achieving excellence in the construction industry of developing countries, addressing both persistent challenges and emergent solutions.