Construction Projects In Ghana Research Articles

Mitigating the effects of delay risk in building construction projects in Ghana

Mitigating the effects of delay risk in building construction projects in Ghana

Critical success factors for cost overrun minimization in public construction projects in developing countries: the case of Ghana

Purpose It is widely accepted that one criterion for determining if a construction project is successful is whether it is completed within the expected budget. There have been advancements in the management of building projects throughout time but cost overruns remain a key concern in the construction sector internationally, particularly in emerging economies such as Ghana. This study aims to answer the question, “What are the critical success factors (CSFs) that can assist reduce cost overruns in public sector infrastructure projects in the Ghanaian construction industry?” Design/methodology/approach This study used a quantitative survey method. The questionnaire was pre-tested by interviewing 15 contractors to ascertain the validity of the content. Factor analysis and multiple regression were adopted to analyze the data. Findings This study discovered that the critical factors that can reduce cost overruns in construction projects in Ghana are directly linked to five themes: early contractor involvement in the project planning stage, adequate funding, good project team relations, competent managers/supervisors and project participant incentives/bonuses. This study identifies indestructible, empirically measurable important success criteria for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in Ghana. Practical implications When well thought through from the project initiation stage to completion, these critical successes can also be used to deal with damaging economic effects such as allocative inefficiency of scarce resources, further delays, contractual disputes, claims and litigation, project failure and total abandonment. Originality/value The uniqueness of this research resides in the fact that it is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, a first-of-its-kind investigation of the CSFs for reducing cost overruns in public building projects in developing countries.

Using extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning to predict construction cost overruns

Continuously, cost overruns in construction projects, as a leading cause of project failure, have been attracting more and more attention among construction stakeholders. Notably, cost overrun prediction model development can help identify factors that lead to cost overruns, thereby substantially improving cost estimates. Meanwhile, a machine learning application on archival data to estimate construction cost overrun is still in development. Motivated by this, we applied an Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) machine to analyze historical data of construction projects in Ghana completed between 2016 and 2018. The comparison between the actual and predicted cost yielded a good model prediction. The RMSE, MSE, MAE, and MAPE values are 0.202, 0.041, 0.069, and 0.306, respectively. To visually explain the importance of each feature for cost overrun prediction, we used SHAP values to illustrate the effect of each feature for model interpretability. According to SHAP ranking, we discover that the initial contract amount, the number of storeys, scope changes, and the initial duration are the variables that most accurately predict project completion costs and cost overruns. This research explores an innovative way to understand and evaluate essential variables that can help develop a prediction model of cost overruns that could aid the construction industry’s cost estimation.

A framework to improve sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana: an exploratory study interviewing industry experts

This study seeks to develop a framework that improves sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana, specifically housing or building projects when the nation is required to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), targets, and indicators. This study used semi-structured and open-ended exploratory interviews as qualitative methods to discover and obtain understanding of the subject matter by engaging six (6) industry experts. This study assisted in probing answers provided by the experts. Although the main study addresses seven research objectives, this exploratory study focused on the first three objectives and therefore addressed the first three research questions of the main study accordingly. Ghana government has made efforts to increase awareness of sustainable development goals (SDGs) amongst stakeholders, but there is room for improvement. This study identified six environmental, eleven social, and six economic factors that can promote sustainable practices in government construction projects in Ghana concerning UNSDGs 8, 9, 19, 11 and 12. The government of Ghana also has to do more to utilise a database system required by the United Nations to provide details on achievements attained on the UNSDGs 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 targets in different sectors, including the construction sector. This study engaged six industry experts, making generalisation of findings not possible. Many more diverse stakeholders are required to ensure this study is more representative across the country. The practical implications for this study are to increase SDGs awareness amongst stakeholders, utilise some provided environmental, social, and economic factors to promote sustainable practices, and improve the usage of database system in government construction projects in Ghana.

Success factors of pre-construction stages of Ghanaian public road construction project life cycle

The research article aims to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) of the pre-construction stages of the public road construction project life cycle in Ghana. Data on 26 CSFs and 16 success criteria were collected from key stakeholders across Ghana through a questionnaire survey. The data was then analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The study showed that external environmental factors and project management factors directly influence success across the pre-construction phases of the Ghanaian public road construction project life cycle whereas procurement-related factors only influence the success of the works procurement phase. The research outcome would inspire construction industry stakeholders to be dynamic and pay utmost attention to the application of the CSFs identified across the pre-construction phases of the Ghanaian public road construction project life cycle. This is the first study wherein the influence of CSFs across the pre-construction stages of the public road construction project life cycle in Ghana is identified. Thus, it extends public road construction project management literature in Ghana. The study is limited to equipment-intensive public construction projects in Ghana.

Optimisation of labour-intensive productivity for construction projects in Ghana

Optimisation of labour-intensive productivity for construction projects in Ghana

Enhancing the success of Ghanaian public road construction projects

The objective of this research paper is to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the success of public road construction projects from the perspective of a developing nation. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on the extent to which critical success factors gathered from literature impact the success of public road construction projects from sector practitioners’ perspectives in Ghana. The data was then analysed using factor analysis. The study revealed that external environmental factors have the highest influence (46.23%) on public road construction project success, followed by project management factors (12.25%) while procurement-related factors have the least impact (6.97%). Public construction project management organisations and the government will now have a deeper understanding of CSFs that influence the success of public construction projects and use them as a guide to enhance the successful delivery of public road construction projects. Even though numerous studies have been undertaken to enhance the success of construction projects in Ghana, very little attention has been given to procurement-related factors. Thus, the study outcome will add value to sector practitioners and the Government of Ghana in the management of public road construction projects.

Variations in Building Construction Projects in Ghana: A Public Organisational Perspective

Abstract The occurrence of variations in building construction contracts is a subject that needs some attention in public sector projects. They are, almost all the time, detrimental rather than beneficial variations. The paper aimed to identify the nature of variations in government-initiated building projects over fourteen years, from 2000 to 2014, in the Central Region and their impacts. Preliminary counts of documents revealed that a total of 348 projects were executed over the period. The data collection process started by first sorting out files, contract documents, and payment certificates for the period under consideration. These documents were scrutinised one after the other to detect possible variations. The inclusion criterion for selecting a project was if a project had any form of variation(s) recorded. After thoroughly examining these 348 project documents, 84 were found to have variations. The study identified additional works and substitutions as the most inherent variations in public building projects in the Central Region. About 85 % of the variations found in the 84 projects with various forms of variations were additional works and substitutions. It was revealed that the cost of multiple variations was higher than single variations. Projects with multiple variations had high percentage variation and durations than others. Percentage variation in some instances was 400 %. The study identified that multiple variations were more costly than single variations. The highest variation cost identified was (USD 211 864.41 or EUR 183 150.18) for one project. The study identified the nature of variations that usually occurred in government building projects and their association with both cost and time. The study asserts that the presence of multiple change orders has substantial financial significance and should be diligently avoided through efficient project initiation and planning.

A Critical Analysis of Completed Abandoned Construction Projects in Ghana

The paper presents findings from a study of abandoned infrastructure projects and provides recommendations to lessen the adverse effects of infrastructural sustainability in Ghana. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, using face-to-face interviews, and a questionnaire survey. Responses were received from selected government officials, consultants, and end-users involved in selecting and approving government projects in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (M.M.D.A.s) of the 16 regions of Ghana. Qualitative data gathered from an interview of 45 candidates were transcribed and coded with Atlas ti eight and line-by-line content analysis. Whilst, quantitative data from questionnaires completed by 320 respondents were analysed by the researcher with the aid of Mann- Whitney U-test in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (S.P.S.S.) to evaluate the magnitude of the impacts of completed project abandonment in Ghana. Findings indicate that completed project abandonment exists in Ghana, and its economic, social, and environmental implications are considerable on the long-term sustainability of infrastructure development and the country's overall economic growth. Infrastructural sustainability was found to be equally contingent on the initial stages of project preparation. The study draws readers’ attention to the critical role of project selection and approval criteria. The study identified critical impacts of project selection and approval process and the construction industry's long-term sustainability.

Assessing effects of moral hazard -related behaviours on quality and satisfaction of public-private-partnership (PPP) construction projects: case study of Ghana

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of moral hazard on quality and satisfaction of public–private–partnership (PPP) construction projects in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach After undertaking a literature review, questionnaires were used to elicit responses from respondents. Population consisted of quantity surveyors, project managers, procurement officers, consultants, public agency officers involved in PPP projects, private partners and contractors. A total of 211 questionnaires were received from 250 distributed. Purposive and snowballing sampling techniques were adopted. Analytical tools were Cronbach’s alpha for testing reliability, regression, mean score ranking and relative importance index. Findings Reduced mutual trust and respect, poor clarity of project objectives; consequence on decision-making; less effective construction process; and increased construction risks were the significant effects of moral hazard on satisfaction of PPP construction projects. Value-based effects; manufacturer-based effects; product-based effects; user-based effects; and transcendent-based effects were the significant effects of moral hazard on quality of PPP construction projects. Practical implications Construction stakeholders involved in delivering PPP projects ought to take note of the findings and recommendations arising. Further studies should explore the effects on other project performance indicators apart from satisfaction and quality. Originality/value This paper extends knowledge in the area of exploring the effects of moral hazard on PPP project satisfaction and quality. The findings are beneficial to both academia and industry practitioners.

Health and Safety Consideration in the Procurement of Public Construction Projects in Ghana

This study explored the extent to which health and safety (H&S) are considered in the procurement of public sector projects in Ghana. This is based on the background that procurement decisions have implications for project H&S management. The enormous size of public procurement projects offers opportunities for public clients to influence the behaviour of the construction market including the promotion of H&S through procurement. To date, no study has fully assessed the extent of H&S considerations in procurement decisions for public sector construction projects in Ghana. To fill this gap, this research has provided an evidence-based assessment of H&S considerations in the various stages of the procurement process for public sector projects in Ghana. Through a questionnaire survey, data were collected from construction industry professionals in Ghana. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to evaluate the extent of H&S considerations. The findings suggest that H&S is given low priority in the procurement of public projects, because clear project objectives relating to H&S are not set, and adequate consideration is not given to H&S at the various procurement stages. Based on the findings, this research has made recommendations to promote H&S in public procurement in Ghana.

How Project-Based Organizations Cultivate Learning in Projects: A Social-Constructivist Perspective

A growing number of studies are now emphasizing the critical importance of learning and knowledge accumulation for firm-level competitiveness. Despite the growing awareness, relatively fewer project-based firms have institutionalized mechanisms to systematically capture new project knowledge and re-use it to improve the execution of subsequent projects. The peculiarity of projects presents unique challenges that make the cognitive approach to learning difficult to implement. As such, researchers are recommending the social constructivist perspective of learning as the most viable strategy for cultivating learning within and across projects. However, scant work has been undertaken from this sociological perspective to analyze how temporary organizations manage knowledge arising from and relating to projects. From this standpoint, the aim of this paper is to discuss the learning mechanisms of construction firms. The study adopted a quantitative strategy by employing a questionnaire survey into the learning practices of construction projects in Ghana. Drawing on preliminary findings from the literature, the study proposes a model for cultivating learning within projects from the social constructivist viewpoint. In the model, project management practitioners can purposefully nurture or structure a project learning activity through four mechanisms viz.: institutionalization, externalization, socialization and internalization. The proposed model is subsequently validated in an empirical study into the learning practices during the implementation of construction projects in Ghana. Based on the empirical results, it seems that knowledge sharing and transfers through the four aforementioned learning mechanisms proposed by the model are highly regarded within project management practice in Ghana.

Influence of Subcontractor Risk Management on Quality Performance of Building Construction Projects in Ghana

This study intended to examine the influence subcontractor risk management has on the quality performance of building construction projects. Using a quantitative research method, five hypothesised constructs were tested. The views of 139 Heads of Works for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana were elicited using a structured questionnaire. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) based on structural equation model (SEM) was adopted in analysing the data obtained. The findings suggest that the management of four (financial risks, resource risks, technical risks and managerial risks) out of the five categories of risks positively influenced the quality performance of building construction projects. Relationship risks showed no significant influence on construction quality performance. The study showed quantitatively the effects of sub-contractor risks on quality performance. It provides a vivid relationship between the concept of sub-contracting and quality performance. Therefore, failure to properly manage risks sourced from sub-contractors on a building construction project will have a major adverse consequence on the quality performance of the project. This study further advances efforts at understanding the link between sub-contractor management and project performance with a particular focus on the management of risks emanating from the use of subcontractors on building projects.

Assessment of systematic risk management practices on building construction projects in Ghana

The construction industry happens to be one of the key sectors of every nation’s economy by way of value creation, employment and contribution to Gross Domestic Product. However, just like other sectors of the economy, the industry is saddled with numerous risks making the achievement of project objectives elusive. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the current risk management practices prevailing in the building construction project delivery in the Ghanaian construction industry. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and analysed using content analysis technique. Quantitative data was obtained through survey questionnaires and analysed using fuzzy synthetic evaluation. Respondents were selected from three public Universities and construction firms in the highest building contractor financial class known as D1K1. It was found out that risk management is not implemented in a systematic, deliberate and continuous manner. However, risks are dealt with in an adhoc manner. This practice is at variance with acceptable risk management practices. The findings expose the weaknesses in the project management practice in Ghana. Project managers of large construction firms in Ghana require sound knowledge and training in internationally recognized systematic risk management practices in order to ensure achievement of value for money in construction project.

Effects of Procurement Strategies and Contract Management Practices on the Performance of Road Construction Projects in Ghana.

Procurement is one of the public sector practices that have taken centre stage in Ghana. A major area where best practices in procurement had been employed is road construction. As a result of the volume of work that has to be done and resources to be utilized, there is the need to adopt best practices and strategies to ensure efficiency and quality delivery of service. This study assessed procurement strategies and contract management practices and how they affect performance of road construction projects in Ghana. The study found that competitive and restricted tendering give value for money because they had the lowest coefficient of variation when compared to the other attributes for road construction. The study dwells on the mixed method and purposive sampling has been deployed in the research. In conclusion, the study suggested that procurement strategy was a critical factor that positively affects performance of road construction projects in Ghana. The study recommends that Public Procurement Authority must strive to improve on its administrative role of monitoring the various District Assemblies to ensure proper Procurement Strategies and Contract Management Practices are always adhered to, so that there will be value for money in Public Procurement Process.

Risk Assessment at the Design Phase of Construction Projects in Ghana

The study was carried out exclusively in Ghana to explore the approaches employed by consultants in risk assessment at the design phase of projects in Ghana. One hundred and fourteen (114) consultants were selected out of a population of one hundred and eighty six (186) from three main professional associations in Ghana made up of the Ghana Institute of Architects, Ghana Institution of Engineers and the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (Quantity Surveying Division) practicing in Ghana for the study. Both primary and secondary data were collected. A descriptive survey was also used to observe and describe the presence, frequency or absence of characteristics of a phenomenon as it naturally occurred, in order to gain additional information. A questionnaire was also designed to collect data from the architects, engineers and quantity surveyors. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS) 17.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics, such as frequency tables, percentages and cross tabulations were used in the data analysis and summaries. Simple tests of associations were undertaken by using Chi square and Cramer’s V statistics to compare relationships between variables. Again, relative importance index was also used to analyze some of the data by computing to deduce their rankings. The relative importance index was used to analyze some of the data by computing to deduce their rankings. The research revealed that majority of consultants had an average knowledge of risk management. Based on the findings it was recommended that consultants undergo advanced training in risk assessment. It was therefore suggested that consultancy firms should develop a set of laid down procedures for consultants to use in risk assessment in order that the use of intuition employed by majority is lessened. The challenges observed in risk assessment and the remedial steps suggested curtailing the detrimental effects of risks would be of wide importance to many developing economies.

Causal relationships of moral hazard and adverse selection of Ghanaian Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) construction projects

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to assess the causal relationship(s) between moral hazard and adverse selection of public–private partnership (PPP) construction projects. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to explore the cause and effect relationship between moral hazard and adverse selection problems in PPP construction projects in Ghana. The study produced a framework to predict, estimate and depict the complex causal relationships (i.e. the directionality) between moral hazard and adverse selection.Design/methodology/approachTo test the proposed framework, a quantitative methodology was used, in which, data were collected using research questionnaires that targeted a sample of 280 PPP stakeholders in Ghana. In total, 210 useable questionnaires were retrieved, representing a response rate of 75 per cent.FindingsThe interrelationships between the eight causes and the nine effects of moral hazard and adverse selection were established using the model. The tested framework showed the degree of association and isolation of the unobserved variables on the indicator factors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the fit of items to latent constructs. Because the fit of each model was good and the item loadings were adequate, it was assumed that the indicators of the different variables factors were fitting. Furthermore, a diagnostic fit analysis was conducted using the robust maximum likelihood method to test the statistical significance of the parameter estimates.Practical implicationsThis novel research is one of the few studies investigating the causal relationships between moral hazard and adverse selection of PPP construction projects. The research concluded with future studies that seek to validate the model developed in other countries and/or other industries.Originality/valueThe research findings will serve as a guide for construction stakeholders in the PPP sector on the causes and effects of adverse selection and moral hazard and how to mitigate these.

Project Management Practice in Groundwater Construction Project in Ghana

The implementation of good project management practice effectively, is a way of improving future projects especially in groundwater construction projects. The lack of good project management principles may cause project delays, and higher costs. A fundamental principle of project management is that any project, regardless of its size or type, consists of three components: scope, budget, and schedule. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and examine how project Management practice in groundwater construction projects in Ghana. The research focuses on the issues of management practice in groundwater construction projects in order to recommend ways of improving management practices. The data were collected through a questionnaire survey sent to the managers, consultants and client’s representative who had been involved in the construction of groundwater projects in Ghana. The survey covered the project management lifecycle: project initiation, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling the closing/evaluating processes of the project. The result of the data analysis reveals that: all three groups (managers, consultant and clients representative) generally agreed that most of the problems in the groundwater construction projects are human and management related. Furthermore, the results indicated that most of the projects did not have project management processes and procedures. The paper concludes with recommendations that the scope of the project is defined and a project management plan is developed be taken in the early stages (conceptual and planning, and evaluating phases) of the groundwater construction projects.

Client-contractor relations on construction projects in Ghana

This study sought to determine ways to improve the relationship between clients and contractors on construction projects. The study identifies 14 measures central to improving relationship building between clients and contractors within the construction industry and their prevalence explored from 145 contractors, conveniently sampled. Data obtained from the study is analysed by mean score ranking. The findings revealed that 'ensuring professionalism from both parties', 'achieving client and contractor satisfaction', 'effective communication between parties', 'ensuring commitment from both parties', 'attaching importance to the project by each party', 'ensuring trustworthiness', and 'conformance to contract agreements from both parties' are highly significant measures that contribute to improving client-contractor relationship. Neglect of the identified measures by either party may lead to frustration from the individual and overall objectives of projects. This study makes an original contribution of exploring the area of client-contractor relationship management in Ghana from the practitioners' point of view. In practice, the findings from this study should assist construction practitioners in Ghana as well as those from other developing countries who seek to manage relationships between clients and contractors on projects.

Client-contractor relations on construction projects in Ghana

This study sought to determine ways to improve the relationship between clients and contractors on construction projects. The study identifies 14 measures central to improving relationship building between clients and contractors within the construction industry and their prevalence explored from 145 contractors, conveniently sampled. Data obtained from the study is analysed by mean score ranking. The findings revealed that 'ensuring professionalism from both parties', 'achieving client and contractor satisfaction', 'effective communication between parties', 'ensuring commitment from both parties', 'attaching importance to the project by each party', 'ensuring trustworthiness', and 'conformance to contract agreements from both parties' are highly significant measures that contribute to improving client-contractor relationship. Neglect of the identified measures by either party may lead to frustration from the individual and overall objectives of projects. This study makes an original contribution of exploring the area of client-contractor relationship management in Ghana from the practitioners' point of view. In practice, the findings from this study should assist construction practitioners in Ghana as well as those from other developing countries who seek to manage relationships between clients and contractors on projects.