Ghanaian Construction Industry Research Articles

Examining barriers for the utilization of non-traditional cost estimating models in developing countries

Purpose Cost estimation model serves as a framework for forecasting the probable cost of proposed construction projects. It can be classified either as traditional or non-traditional depending on the cost variables formulation. However, in the building industry, quantity surveyors traditionally estimate the initial cost of building projects using the traditional models, which have been criticized overtime for its inaccuracies. This paper therefore aims to examine barriers for the utilization of non-traditional cost estimating models. Design/methodology/approach By using a questionnaire survey, respondents were invited to rate their level of agreement on 23 barriers identified from literature and interview (expert’s opinion). Findings Based on factor analysis inefficient techniques, perceptions of model techniques, unavailability of cost data and lack of understanding and unstable economic conditions were identified as barriers to the utilization of non-traditional cost estimating models. Practical/implications Findings demonstrate that there is need for quantity surveyors to get adapted to utilization of non-traditional cost models which offers better accuracies than the traditional approaches in their quest to improve their professional practices. Originality/value This study demonstrates that there are barriers to the utilization of non-traditional cost estimating models in the Ghanaian construction industry, as evident of this will help in policy formulation for the improvement cost estimating practices.

Factors influencing the performance of safety programmes in the Ghanaian construction industry

Although proper safety management in construction is of prime importance, evidence from literature suggests that many developing countries do not consider safety adequately. This article examines the factors that influence the performance of safety management programmes in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. The objectives set to achieve this aim include identifying the safety elements incorporated in the safety programmes of construction firms, and determining the factors that negatively influence the performance of such elements. For objectivity, a quantitative survey was conducted among safety managers of 60 D1 building construction firms located in the Kumasi and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. The questionnaire was structured into three parts, which sought the respondents’ profile, identified the safety elements incorporated in the firms’ safety programmes, and identified the factors that negatively influence the performance of the safety elements. Following a detailed literature review, the respondents were asked to rate 13 elements and 17 factors on a Likert scale. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. In addition to determining the reliability of the various constructs, the MSs, modes and standard deviations were obtained. The findings revealed that all of the 13 elements were incorporated in the firms’ safety programmes. The key elements identified include ‘providing safety managers on site’; ‘providing written and comprehensive safety and health plans’; ‘introducing project-specific training and regular safety meetings’; ‘providing safety and health orientation training’, and ‘involving employees in safety and evaluation’. The findings further revealed that 16 of the 17 factors negatively influence the performance of the firms’ safety programmes. The identified factors were, among others, ‘insufficient communication of safety programmes’; ‘lack of workers’ self-protection and awareness’; ‘contractors ignoring safety, due to the time pressures of the project schedule’; ‘poor personal attitudes towards safety’, and ‘ineffective laws and lack of enforcement’. Findings from this study should be useful to construction practitioners seeking to improve the safety records of their firms. Keywords : Safety performance, safety programmes, safety elements, construction projects

Procurement path influencing factors in Ghana: managing the challenge of cultural shift

An integrated procurement planning effort is a precursor for the successful delivery of projects. For traditional reasons, the Ghanaian construction industry has a challenge of cultural shift in the adoption of contemporary procurement systems. This research sought to investigate factors influencing the continuous use of Design Bid Build (DBB) and the main procurement path influencing factors. Using quantitative methods, findings from the field study indicated that familiarity with the DBB has been the driver for the continuous use of DBB. It was established that the main challenges of DBB were high cost and schedule overruns and high variations. On the other hand, the main procurement influencing factors were identified as early start and completion, firm prices before committing to precede, reduction in cost and schedule overruns. It was evident from the study that the Ghanaian construction industry is not ready for cultural shift in procurement strategies, and may continue to embrace the DBB. It is recommended that contractor selection for projects should not necessarily be based on bulk volume of works but the unit of work. This would enhance the early selection of a contractor, whose early involvement would bring to bear buildability, increased contractor’s responsibility and reduce project risk.

Investigating the Cost Management Practices of Indigenous Firms in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

Cost management is key to project implementation and an important tool for maximizing profit nonetheless it has been a major challenge for most indigenous construction firms in Ghana. The study seeks to investigate the important factors influencing cost management practices among indigenous construction firms in Ghana and to ascertain whether there is a significant difference between the responses of the categories of the firm (construction and consultancy firms) in Ghana. A total of 82 questionnaires were retrieved from 100 administered questionnaires to professionals with indigenous construction firms representing 82% response rate. Data gathered were analyzed descriptively using Mean Item Score (MIS) via SPSS version 24 to identify the most important factors. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity conducted showed a KMO score of 0.894. Bartlett’s test of sphericity also revealed a significance level of 0.000 (p˂0.05). The ANOVA suggest that there is no significant difference between the responses between the categories of firms. Indigenous firms are encouraged therefore to consider managing disagreement between project team members by ensuring constant project implementation meetings and to understand ground conditions of projects by visiting proposed sites prior to estimation and tendering. Finally, communication and expenditure control measures should be enhanced and introduced respectively. The implication of this study while contributing to the discourse on cost management practices of indigenous constructions firms in Ghana, also outlines the major (highly ranked) factors influencing indigenous firms in the management of project cost, before, during and after project implementation.

ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF WORKER SATISFACTION ON WELFARE PROVISIONS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN GHANA

Construction worker’s efficiency can increase significantly with satisfactory welfare facilities in the area of adequate toilets, washing facilities, places to eat, and storage place for clothing and so on, and these could be the drivers for high output and increase in profit to a firm where and when they are provided. However, these basic requirements are often inadequate and in worst case are neglected at most construction sites. The aim of this research was to assess the level of worker’s satisfaction on welfare provisions for construction sites in Ghana. The objectives set for the study were to evaluate worker’s satisfaction in construction sites with regards to welfare provisions on site. The population sample for this study consisted of all active construction sites at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) vicinity. Eighty (89) copies of the questionnaires were administered to permanent workers (the respondents) in five (5) construction sites with on-going construction activities in this study. Structured questionnaire and the census sampling technique were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze primary data into percentages and frequencies. The study revealed that 69% of construction site workers in Ghana are not satisfied with the level of welfare facilities provided at site by their employers. The researchers discovered that accessibility to welfare facilities, provision of adequate number of welfare facilities, regular maintenance, illumination of space and closeness of welfare facilities were the most influential factors on the level of satisfaction of site workers in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study therefore, recommends that there should be regular assessment and enforcement conducted by policy makers and consultants on the quality of welfare facilities provided by contractors, based on the labour Act regulation on welfare provision on construction sites, to ensure that they are up to standard for workers on site.

Re-Classification of Roofs in Multi Storey Design Education and Application: A Pedagogic Approach

Pedagogy comprises of all the actions one takes to incite learning in others. They are the instructional techniques and strategies that would allow learning to take place. It is the interactional communication between a learner and a teacher that is influenced by the social, cultural and to an extent the political views of both the teacher (educator) and the child or (the learner) (Lynn,2017). The Ghanaian construction industry has over the years aimed at improving the knowledge base of students and workers alike. Towards this a system of teaching and learning has been adopted and has been maintained as the traditional method. However, in as much as teaching has evolved all around the world, our system of teaching, training and development has not gone through so drastic a change as to meet international standards of education. There is the need to inculcate a paradigm shift in the system of teaching. In the construction of Multi-storey buildings, there are varying types of roofs that are used and each of them are associated with their very own functions, structural compositions and their interaction with the storey building itself. Roofs and their construction has evolved over time with the change in technology and the need for more functionality and the complexity in designs however their classification for teaching purposes has not evolved to suit these changes. The purpose of this paper is to propose an ideal method of teaching roofing types and classification that can be adopted for use within the universal, tertiary teaching and learning setting. In doing this we re-classify roofs of multi-storey structures based on their varying functions, construction components, technology and complexity of design to improve the learning experience of students within the construction industry. They are Aesthetic roofs, Utility roofs, Service roofs, Drainage functional roofs and Structure stabilization roofs. In view of this, case studies of various internationally acknowledged multi-storey structures were analyzed to obtain the varying proposed classes of roofs. As early on stated, there is the need for a paradigm shift in the educational system and for that to hold, there is the need for educators to improve the pedagogic approach.

Evaluation of UFPA quality assessment criteria for monitoring and evaluation system in the Ghanaian construction industry

The need to ensure that construction project monitoring and evaluation systems generate the required project information for effective project delivery and decision-making is imperative for project success. The study evaluates the UFPA quality assessment criteria for monitoring and evaluation system in the Ghanaian construction industry. The study employed the use of a structured questionnaire for data collection from forty (40) purposively selected construction industry professionals practising as consultants and contractors. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The mean item score (MIS) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compute the mean ranking of the quality assessment criteria and to compare the difference of means amongst the various groups and the assessment criteria. The findings revealed, in order of importance, accuracy, feasibility, propriety and utility as significant in influencing the quality of M&E systems in the Ghanaian construction industry. The analysis of variance also revealed no significant difference between the response of the two groups of respondents: consultants and contractors. The study recommends the adoption of the UFPA model as an essential quality assessing criterion for construction project M&E systems in the Ghanaian construction industry to enable effective M&E of projects.

Contractor Selection Criteria in Ghanaian Construction Industry: Benefits and Challenges

Selecting a contractor for construction project is a difficult decision to be taken by a client because it may lead to construction delivery problems or successful delivery of the project. This study, therefore, investigated the contractor selection criteria in the Ghanaian construction industry, considering the benefits and challenges. A quantitative research method was adopted in this study through the use of a questionnaire. The target population for the study consisted of registered contractors and consultants in the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions of Ghana. It was found that though the construction professionals are well vested with the prequalification selection criteria that are being used within the Ghanaian construction industry, they were not familiar with multi-criterial section methods. It was also found that the benefits of the contractor selection criteria include: enabling the client to select contractors who are performers for the project, saving the project owner a lot of time, minimizing the possibility of contractor default, and facilitating the achievement of project success and the objectives within the scheduled time. Furthermore, excessive cost and time overrun, poor quality standard, imprecise assessments due to lack of information, criteria being very complex and difficult to apply in practice, among others were identified as the challenges to the contractor selection criteria in Ghanaian construction industry. The study recommends for further studies to determine the impact of the identified challenges on construction projects, and ways to minimize the challenges.

Imperatives for Academia-Industry Collaboration in Building Construction Research in Ghana

Academia and industry research enables researchers to conduct research projects that are more relevant to current business practices and context. Although, several construction research works have been done by the academics in the tertiary institutions in Ghana, it is sad to know that, a large number of these research works have not moved from the pure stage to the applied stage. This study seeks to establish the imperative of academia and industry collaboration in building research in Ghana. A total of 116 construction practising professionals consisting of Ghana Institute of Construction (GIOC) corporate members (QS, Architects, Engineers and so on) from the industry, and academics from tertiary academic institutions (That’s, Lecturers from KNUST and UEW) that run postgraduate construction programmes in Ghana as at February 2016 constituted the respondents for this study. Census and systematic sampling techniques were used for the sampled population. Descriptive statistics was employed in the data analysis for the mean and standard deviation (SD) score values of variables. The most imperatives for academia and industry collaboration were found to be: ensuring research findings solve socio-economic and development problems, the intermittent collapse of buildings, support for the local industries to produce quality materials locally to feed the construction industry, proper contract documentations and administration. This research would bring to light the urgent issues in the construction industry that calls for greater collaboration between the academia and industry in Ghana. It reveals a deeper understanding on the need for collaborative research in the Ghanaian construction industry, by providing the most imperatives to academia-industry collaborative research in Ghana.

Intermediate institutions and technology transfer in developing countries: The case of the construction industry in Ghana

There has been an emerging view that the quality of state institutions can influence technology transfer in host countries. The bulk of such studies have ignored the role of intermediate institutions which bridge government and industry. We compare academic and local expert views of how technology and knowledge (T&K) transfer could be enhanced in the developing world, taking the Ghanaian construction industry as an exemplar. The academic argument that the development of strong intermediate institutions is likely to improve T&K policy and practice is explicated. We then investigate expert perceptions of the industry's T&K transfer problems and their proposed solutions. Their views confirm, but also develop and nuance academic research by suggesting that certain types of intermediate institutions have a more significant role to play than others.

Factors affecting tender price in the Ghanaian construction industry

PurposeTender price remains an imperative parameter for clients in deciding whether to invest in a construction project, and it serves as a basis for tender price index (TPI) manipulations. This paper aims to examine the factors affecting tender price in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature review, nine independent constructs and one dependent construct relating to tender pricing were identified. A structured questionnaire survey was conducted among quantity surveyors in Ghana. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) examined the influences of various constructs on tender price development (TPD) and the relationships among TPD and TPI.FindingsResults showed that cultural attributes, client attributes, contractor attributes; contract procedures and procurement methods; consultant and design team; external factors and market conditions; project attributes; sustainable and technological attributes; and TPI have a positive influence on tender price, whereas fraudulent attributes exert a negative influence.Practical implicationsThe findings offer construction professionals broader understanding of factors that affect tender pricing. The results may be used in professional decision-making in the pricing of construction projects, as they offer clearer causal relations between how each construct will influence pricing.Originality/valueThis study adds to the body of construction pricing knowledge by establishing the relationships and degree of influences of various factors on tender price. These findings provide a valuable reference for practitioners.

Rethinking the challenges to the pricing of projects in the Ghanaian construction industry

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to examine the challenges to the pricing of construction projects in the Ghanaian industry. This remains a persistent problem among construction stakeholders because price is the basis for which offers are made. Project stakeholders are always faced with challenges relating to effective and efficient pricing system making it difficult to achieve value for money.Design/methodology/approachResearch data were collected through a questionnaire survey involving quantity surveyors in the Ghanaian construction industry. Data collected were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis which helped to reduce the factors into six components. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was further carried out to explore whether these six observed variables would form a latent variable called challenges to pricing of construction projects.FindingsThe paper highlighted six underlying challenges which were cost-related, managerial-related, quality-related, variation of works, poor understanding of the terms of contract and time-related. Strong and significant relationships were found between all six of the observed variables. A CFA confirmed that they formed a latent variable the authors called challenges to pricing of construction projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings clearly can serve as a reference for both developed and developing countries in the quest for finding an antidote to pricing challenges. In addition, use of CFA improves measurement of the constructs and thus enhances understanding of the underlying components of a construct and their individual relationship with pricing. The paper is particularly useful for policy making and industry regulation because it identifies some of the factors that need attention.Originality/valueThis paper presents an exceptional contribution to the construction management literature by concentrating on the factors that challenge effective and efficient pricing system in the construction industry.

MODELLING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROCESS IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH

Technology transfer (TT) is crucial to social infrastructure and economic development in developing countries (DCs). In Ghana’s construction sector, foreign firms provide an invaluable source of innovation and technological advancement for local contractors. However, TT models published in existing literature are rarely applicable to the construction industry in DCs. This paper therefore presents a conceptual framework of the TT process as a tool for measuring construction performance. Utilising the results from a questionnaire survey of Ghanaian construction industry professionals, eight different perspectives on TT were formulated using exploratory factor analysis. These perspectives represent the enablers and outcomes of the TT process, namely transferor and transferee characteristics, knowledge advancement, the transfer environment, government influence, the learning environment, project performance, communication, and relationship building and absorptive capability. The research outcomes provide useful guidance to local and international funding agencies, governments of developing or newly industrialised countries, and construction firms that seek to effectively evaluate the success (or otherwise) of the TT process. Future research should seek to validate the research findings presented, and to expand the work to include other DCs.

Beyond the causes

PurposeThis paper aims to contend that the circle of investigation into overruns cannot be complete unless the established critical failure factors are matched against their respective mitigating measures to avert the overruns. Extant literature is replete with factors that engender cost and time overruns within the design and construction phase. The constraint is the lack of a scientific approach in establishing a tackling mechanism to address the root causes and stakeholder responsibilities.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on nine unique grand factors previously established and reported in literature about the Ghanaian Construction Industry. A focus group discussion convened through a purposive sampling technique led to the establishment of a list of mitigating measures and strategies.FindingsThe paper established a checklist of 114 mitigating measures categorised into preventive, predictive and corrective approaches. Additionally, several short to medium term key strategies have been recommended to avert the occurrence of cost and time overruns.Originality/valueThe mitigating measures can be adopted as a checklist of good practice to help practitioners enhance the effectiveness of project budget and schedule control. It is also supposed to serve as a guide to practitioners in averting overruns through predictive, preventive and/or corrective causes. A unique approach in averting the occurrence of cost and time overruns.

Organizational culture of Ghanaian construction firms

ABSTRACTIdentity crisis has become a major source of inefficiency and ineffectiveness of individuals and organizations. One of the strategic ways for solving this crisis is through identifying the culture (personality) of organizations. The study identified organizational culture typologies of construction firms in Ghana, which is in response to the need for culture studies in construction and the unavailability of such studies in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. The study was quantitative; data were collected from Indigenous contractors in Ghana using a questionnaire survey. Analysis was done using Mean Score Ranking, Relative Importance Index and Exploratory Factor Analysis. Workplace Culture, Business Culture, System Culture and Group Culture were the identified typologies for the study. The cultures identified reveal the strategic areas of construction organizations which need management planning and commitment, to help in reshaping them to be competitive in the business environment.

Predicting likelihood of cost overrun in educational projects

PurposeBeing able to predict the likelihood of a project to overrun its cost before the contract signing phase is crucial in developing the required mitigating measures to avert it. Known parameters that permit the timely prediction of cost overrun provide the basis for such predictions. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop a model for forecasting cost overruns.Design/methodology/approachTen predictive variables known before the contract signing phase of a project are identified. Based on a survey approach, information on 321 educational projects completed are compiled. A multiple linear regression analysis is adopted for the model development.FindingsFive variables – initial contract sum, gross floor area, number of storeys, source of funds and contractors’ financial classification are observed to influence cost overruns. The model, however, yields a fairly weak coefficient of determination with a mean absolute percentage error of 30.22 and 138 per cent, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe model developed focussed on data only educational projects sampled from three out of the ten administration regions in Ghana based on a purposive sampling approach.Practical implicationsPolicy makers and construction managers working on public projects stand to gain tremendous assistance in formulating and strengthening their own in-house cost forecasting at the precontract phase based on “what if” analysis to generate various alternative predictions of cost overruns.Originality/valueConsidering the innate nature of cost overruns within the Ghanaian construction industry often resulting to project abandonment, this research presents a unique dimension for tackling cost overruns based on a predictive approach.

Determinants of Price Differential for Labour Pricing within the Ghanaian Construction Industry

The construction industry is a sector of the economy that transforms various resources into constructed physical economic and social infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development. Labour forms an integral part of the construction process and cannot be overlooked. The reward of labour wages has become a domain for agitation in recent times as a result of the differential pricing of labour across the country, ranging from city to city. The aim of this study is to explore the determinants that account for different rates of labour. A mixed method approach was used that involves semi-structure interview and closed-ended questionnaires. The target population for the data collection was contractors, labourers and consultants within Ghana. Data generated from the survey were analysed using relative importance index (RII). The study revealed that consultants, labourers and contractors take into account the level of skill of personnel, demand for labour competition among firms, use of plant and equipment among others as the important determinants for labour pricing differential. The empirical data are limited to the views of consultants, labourers and contractors in the Ghanaian construction industry only. The article is of utmost importance for policymakers especially consultants in estimating prices of labour for certain geographical regions. Likewise, the study has the potential of spurring future development of the industry in order to stop labour agitation and also serve as a basis for future research.

Revised health and safety compliance model for the Ghanaian construction industry

The construction industry in Ghana is faced with employees’ negligence in obeying rules and regulations, and acts that conflict with health and safety. The purpose of the paper was to present the revised health and safety (H&S) compliance model for the construction industry based on a developed theoretical six factor model. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted on the theoretical model to assess whether the variables were suitable for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).The EFA carried out on the theoretical model led to the revision of the H&S compliance model. The extraction method employed on the theoretical six factor model during the EFA was Principal Axis Factoring with Oblimin Rotation (PAF Oblimin).Findings from the study show that Total Variance Explained had fourteen factors above 1.00. Further findings show that four factors were retained from the six factor theoretical model. In some cases few variables were combined with other factors to form new factors. The combination of the variables led to the formation of new factors with different latent constructs. The remaining two factors from the theoretical model also form part of the new constructs. Twelve factors were finally obtained from the EFA, with a minimum of three variables each. The factors with negative factor loadings indicate their weakness in the model because they cross load over another. Hence, two factors with highest number of negative factor loadings were dropped, remaining ten factors with good communalities above 0.3 as shown in the revised model.Keywords: Compliance, exploratory factor analysis, Ghana, health and safety, model

Principal component analysis of professional competencies of architects in the Ghanaian construction industry

Purpose The identification and development of appropriate competencies remain very critical and central to performance measures in mainstream human resource management genre towards effective teams. It is posited as a viable means for validating and engendering best practices and developing suitable competencies towards acceptable performance outcome in construction project delivery. The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical professional competencies of an architect in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) towards effective performance in the construction project delivery. Design/methodology/approach From a mixed method design involving semi-structured qualitative interview and a questionnaire survey of architects in Ghana, 16 professional architectural competencies were identified for respondents to indicate their importance to effective architectural practice and consulting in the GCI on a five-point Likert scale. Factor analysis was used to explore the interrelations among the variables and make possible empirical explanations. Findings Factor analysis revealed four underlying clusters named in order of their significance as efficient design response to client needs, legal aspects of practice, sustainable design and construction and efficient project management skills. The study provides insight into the contextual practice, characteristics and the critical professional architectural competencies needed by architects in the construction industry in Ghana. Originality/value The findings have rigorously revealed and provided clear understanding and insight into the thematic critical professional competencies of architects important to the construction industry in Ghana which should be the focus of architectural training and practice. It is also very important towards developing and stimulating a continuous professional development agenda, developing a body of knowledge of professional practice in architecture and conducting curriculum review to meet current emerging competency profiles necessary for influencing performance levels in the GCI.

Antecedents of supplier relation quality in the Ghanaian construction industry

Effective and efficient management of suppliers within a supply chainis an essential requirement for improving organisational performance within construction companies. However, factors inherent within the supply chain of supplier-buyer exchanges such as culture, politics, dependence and trust may influence supplier relationship quality (SRQ). This research therefore seeks to identify the influence that these factors have upon SRQ in the Ghanaian construction industry and develop a conceptual framework that explains the interconnectivity between them. A literature review isused to develop a conceptual framework of the antecedents influencing supplier relationship quality. Primary ‘perception’ data obtained from 152 building material suppliers is used to test the proposed model using Partial Least Squares (PLS). Findings reveal that culture, politics, dependence and trust have a significant influence on relationship quality in supply chain collaborations amongst purchasers and suppliers of building materials. While politics has a strong influence on dependence, it also generates a negative influence on SRQ and trust. The research confirms the positive effect of trust and dependence in SRQ management and extends understanding of the influence of culture and politics. Practical implications suggest that managers of building material suppliers should focus upon building trust and dependence and be discouraged from over-reliance upon politics and political affiliations as a basis for long-term relationship building