Value management practice in South Africa: the built environment professions compared

Using an online survey, value management practice by construction professionals in South Africa is investigated. Opinions were sought from architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and project and construction managers. An objective is to test the UK‐based assertion of Kelly et al. (2004) that VM is an established service with commonly understood tools, techniques and styles. While awareness of VM is reasonably prevalent among the professions, it is far less so among architects. Actual practice of VM is considerably less extensive, with the architects reporting the lowest level of usage. Much higher levels of awareness and practice could have been expected. Knowledge of VM techniques appears dated, and membership of VM associations is rare. Usage of VM is invariably founded on a cost‐minimization driver. Little attempt is made to benchmark VM activities against international standards nor is a standard methodology employed. Value management is not generally used to facilitate the client briefing process. The findings are important given the increasing globalization of construction services, especially the growth of international ties between built environment professionals. It is recommended that the professional associations that promote the activities of the professions in SA should organize suitable refresher skills and training opportunities in VM.     

A survey of maintenance management systems in South African tertiary educational institutions

The implementation of an effective maintenance management system is vital if the maintenance of assets of any organisation or institution is to be managed effectively. A survey was undertaken among tertiary educational institutions in South Africa to identify a list of best practice criteria and to prioritise these in order of importance. The study evaluated the performance of the existing maintenance management systems used by tertiary educational institutions to determine whether there is a need to improve current maintenance management systems. Results showed that existing performance is far below best practice standards and that the use of computerised maintenance management systems is very limited. This led to the development of a model to assist maintenance managers at tertiary educational institutions to evaluate and improve their existing approaches to maintenance management.     

What residents value in low-cost housing schemes: some South African concepts

What are the significant design aspects of low-cost housing from a value analysis perspective? South Africa has made housing a cornerstone of its social development policies, but there is significant dissatisfaction expressed by the residents of the housing schemes built to date. To address this, a small survey was undertaken to identify what established (existing) residents of low-cost housing in South Africa regard as important or of value. These established residents’ views vary from other studies due to the ability to identify medium and long-term needs and problems. The survey identified nine concepts that can be used to evaluate housing scheme design using conjoint analysis or stated choice methods to quantify residents’ values. Future quantitative research is suggested into the measurement of the requirements of residents. Development of econometric models of the already investigated urban form is advocated, along with the potential for ‘densification’ strategies to address some of the issues raised by residents.

Quels sont les aspects importants de la conception de logements sociaux du point de vue de l'analyse de la valeur? L'Afrique du Sud a fait du logement une pierre angulaire de ses politiques de développement social, mais il existe un important mécontentement exprimé par les résidents des ensembles d'habitation construits à ce jour. Afin d'y remédier, il a été entrepris une petite enquête d'opinion visant à identifier ce que les résidents établis (existants) des logements sociaux d'Afrique du Sud considèrent comme important ou ayant de la valeur. Les avis de ces résidents établis diffèrent des autres études en raison de la capacité à identifier les besoins et les problèmes à moyen et long terme. L’étude a identifié neuf concepts qui peuvent être utilisés pour évaluer la conception des ensembles d'habitation en faisant appel à des méthodes d'analyse conjointe ou des méthodes des préférences déclarées pour quantifier les valeurs des résidents. Des recherches quantitatives ultérieures sont suggérées pour mesurer les exigences des résidents. Il est préconisé de développer des modèles économétriques de la forme urbaine déjà étudiée, ainsi que le potentiel des stratégies de « densification » pour faire face à certains des problèmes soulevés par les résidents.

Mots clés: logement?habitants?logements sociaux?qualité de la vie?développement social?gestion de la valeur?Afrique du Sud     

Corruption in the South African construction industry: a thematic analysis of verbatim comments from survey participants

Corruption is a pervasive stain on the construction industry in many countries. South Africa is no exception. A questionnaire survey showed that corruption there is perceived to be widespread. Beyond the quantitative survey findings, thematic analysis was used to explore the verbatim comments offered by many survey participants. This analysis clarified the nature and extent of corruption more precisely and four predominant themes emerged: involvement in corruption, forms of corruption, factors that may give rise to corrupt activities, and the means of combating corruption. Public officials are thought to be actively involved in acts of corruption, particularly in the soliciting of bribes and in tender manipulation. Professional consultants and other actors in the construction supply chain are not above reproach. Forms of corruption centre largely on appointment and tender irregularities, and to a lesser extent on contract administration and closeout irregularities. Factors instrumental in corruption include the skills shortage within the industry, a perceived absence of deterrents and sanctions, and poor ethical standards. Procedural impediments, fear of victimization and personal attitudes all act as barriers to combating corruption. While confirming opportunity, pressure and self-justification as the three pillars of the Cressey ‘Fraud Triangle’ theory of corruption, the research findings suggest that a more dynamic interpretation of this model is advisable. In addressing corruption, at least in the public sector, improvements in procurement processes are needed along with shifts towards higher standards of ethical behaviour among public sector employees at all levels. Greater procurement process transparency (in both public and private sectors of the industry) would address the worst effects of undue political interference and nepotism. The South African construction industry (particularly its statutory professional councils and contractor affiliation bodies), together with public sector agencies and private sector client associations, should collaborate to adopt a more proactive stance against corruption, and be more engaged with detecting and reporting it.     

The history of urban growth management in South Africa: tracking the origin and current status of urban edge policies in three metropolitan municipalities

ABSTRACT

For many cities in the Global South, colonialism played a dominant role in shaping their urban form. The historical objective of planning in colonial mother-cities was dealing with poor health and living conditions, therefore a planning approach similar to that followed in post-war Britain would appear beneficial in post-colonial cities, characterized by environmental and physical infrastructure unable to cope with massive population growth. Urban growth management is a discourse born in an attempt to control the growing industrial city in the early twentieth century, and in recent years applied through instruments such as urban edges or growth boundaries to limit urban sprawl and encourage higher density urban development. In South Africa, the principles of compaction and urban growth management formed part of the post-apartheid planning agenda towards transforming the inefficient and fragmented landscape inherited from separate spatial development. Consequently, urban edges and urban growth boundaries formed key components of municipal spatial planning frameworks since the early 2000s. The purpose of this paper is to explore the origin and status of urban edges in three metropolitan municipalities in South Africa to aid in understanding of these spatial instruments in the south.     

Korean civil engineers: handling of natural disaster management and its implication

Economic damages, which are influenced by diverse natural disasters, have had quite an impact in Korea. Civil engineers in the country have played a major role in managing floods accompanied by typhoons. This study aims to improve the role of Korean civil engineers in natural disaster management. Comparative perspective was used as the major methodology. Civil engineers' dominance‐oriented management was compared to coordination‐oriented management through four variables, namely civil engineering employees, civil engineering researchers, civil engineering businessmen and other professionals. The key finding is that Korea has to change its civil engineers' dominance‐oriented management into coordination‐oriented management. Similarly, other nations may apply the lessons learned from Korea to their cases via the social impact of disaster, trust relations, participatory approach, various networks, emergency plans, training and exercises and the value of equity.     

The rhetoric of community participation in urban South African water governance

The persistence of the water insecurity challenge has manifested in weak government financial systems, insufficient technical capacity, and ineffective water governance systems in the global arena. This paper is a contextual analysis of community participation in water governance in urban South Africa since 1994. Limited community participation in urban water governance results in persistent inequality in access to water and sanitation services. New strategies and effective mechanisms are needed to include communities in water governance and pricing.     

对自然的倾听:解读南非园林

处于主流文化边缘的南非园林,以其独特而不被关注的方式发展,体现了原始与文明的融合。南非设计师对大自然谦卑、敬畏的态度,成就了倾听式的设计手法,从而产生了独特而不可替代的南非园林。通过解读南非园林,阐释设计者对自然的态度、设计观和价值取向对园林乃至民族文化的影响。     

The futures of construction management research

Construction management is an internationally recognized area of research with an established and growing community of academics. It has grown from largely “research consultancy” activities to additionally attracting significant amounts of academic research funding and has, partially, moved away from its applied, engineering dominated origins to increasingly engage with, and contribute to, mainstream academic debates in business and management, economics and the social sciences. It has, as such, become an academic field in its own right. However, recent dynamics within both university institutions and national economies are changing the landscape of construction management research (CMR). A blurring of traditional university boundaries, reprioritization of research funding and increasing emphasis on national and international rankings have led to increased pressure on individual academics and the community they constitute. Drawing on scenario development we ask what, in the face of a turbulent environment, might the futures of CMR be? Four potential futures for CMR are outlined, depicted as four potential scenarios: convergence, retrenchment, disappearance and hybridization. These describe potential outcomes from the institutional dynamics currently at play. The intention is neither to predict the future, nor to prioritize one scenario over another, but to open a debate on the institutional pressures the field is facing, and what the outcomes might be.     

BIM技术价值分析及其在建筑施工阶段的应用实践

本文根据我国建筑施工企业的特点和现有管理水平,对BIM技术应用价值在项目管理信息化、工程设计智能化、施工管理可视化以及运营维护实时化等方面进行了分析。同时针对现阶段BIM技术在建筑施工阶段的应用内容及特点进行梳理,并且介绍了BIM技术在福州海峡奥体中心项目中的应用成果。     

Towards integrating construction risk management and stakeholder management: A systematic literature review and future research agendas

We propose that integrated management of construction risk and stakeholder is feasible and can promote the effectiveness of both risk management (RM) and stakeholder management (SM). A systematic literature review is conducted on the current construction literature involving both RM and SM, through which we identify four linkage modes between risk and stakeholder management. We further suggest future directions that enable integrating risk and stakeholder management to benefit the management process and/or management outcome of RM and SM. These linkages and directions shed light on enhancing the effectiveness of RM and SM through new ways of thinking about, analyzing, and then managing risks and stakeholders in a holistic and integrated way, but not the traditional endeavor in individual areas. Integrating risk and stakeholder management is challenging, but can be a novel way for improving project performance for which this research conceptually justifies its feasibility and benefits, which merits further study.     

The Military as an Economic Agent in Local Economic Development: The Case of South Africa

Military bases can be important agents for local and regional economic development. This article examines the role of military spending in local economic development in South Africa, a country which, under apartheid, had high levels of military spending. The local economic impacts are analyzed of three operational military bases at Potchefstroom, Louis Trichardt’ and Heidelberg. It is argued that the military assumes a significant role in local economies and should be used by localities as a basis for competitive advantage in planning for local economic development.     

Enhancing value co-creation in professional service projects: The roles of professionals,clients and their effective interactions

Projects are value creation mechanisms for organizations. In this paper, we build on service-dominant logic theory to theorize how value is perceived and co-created by service providers and clients in professional service projects. From two studies, we found that for service providers to create their value, particularly non-monetary value (e.g., enhanced reputation), client values (e.g., solving a business problem) must first be generated. The results further highlight the importance of reciprocal interactions between service providers and their clients in co-creating value for both parties. Service providers' professional knowledge and competence and their clients' levels of professional knowledge and motivation to interact are critical to enable effective interactions. However, the influence of service providers' professional ethics and clients' trust in professionals on project value co-creation is more complex than theoretically predicted. This paper advances the project value creation literature by providing a more holistic view of what value means for different stakeholders, how it is created, and by whom.     

Directions for future research in project management: The main findings of a UK government-funded research network

In 2003 the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) agreed to fund a research network – Rethinking Project Management – to define a research agenda aimed at enriching and extending the subject of project management beyond its current conceptual foundations. The main argument for the proposed Network highlighted the growing critiques of project management theory and the need for new research in relation to the developing practice. Being the first paper of this Special Issue, this paper presents the Network’s main findings: a framework of five directions aimed at developing the field intellectually in the following areas: project complexity, social process, value creation, project conceptualisation, and practitioner development. These areas are based on a comprehensive analysis of all the research material produced over a 2-year period and represent the dominant pattern of ideas to emerge from the Network as a whole. They are not meant to be the agenda for future research, but an agenda to inform and stimulate current and future research activity in developing the field of project management. Methodologically, the five research directions represent a synthesis of ideas for how the current conceptual base needs to develop in relation to the developing world of practice. As well as presenting the main findings, the paper also presents a practical research framework aimed at researchers working in the field. The intended audience for the paper is the project management research community, and also researchers in other management areas for whom the Network’s findings might be of interest.     

ABC分析法和挣值法在责任成本管理中的应用

结合责任成本管理相关理论,分别介绍了ABC分析法和挣值法的概念、作用,并结合具体实例,阐述了两种方法在责任成本管理中的应用,以期指导实践,科学有效地进行成本管理。     

Ten Years and Ten Trends of Local Economic Development Practice in South Africa: A Practitioner’s Perspective

This article offers a perspective from a practitioner on the experience of involvement in the first decade of initiatives for promoting local economic development in South Africa. The reflection on the first decade identifies ten key trends in the practice of LED in South Africa. It is argued that whilst debates on LED in South Africa have made considerable progress, it is necessary to reflect on the knowledge created in the first decade of LED practice and design.     

Public Policy and Small Towns in Arid South Africa: The Case of Philippolis

Internationally and in South Africa, small towns have been subjected to several external factors leading to their decline, with decentralisation processes placing increased pressure on them to develop locally based responses to these external realities. However, very little academic research has been conducted on the impact of national and sub-national public policies on small towns. Instead, the emphasis has tended to fall on policy frameworks and formulas which can be applied in blanket fashion across different settlement types. South African developmental policies have made no provision for coherent socio-economic developmental support strategies aimed at the more than 500 small towns and the numerous struggling local governance structures, which are virtually all fighting for long-term sustainability. This research is based on a review focusing on selected social, economic and governance policies. The aim is to investigate both the influence of some of these policies and the impact of their implementation in the context of the small town of Philippolis. It will be argued that these policies have not benefited Philippolis and/or that they have been applied inappropriately within this small town. Finally, a number of general recommendations will be made, along with certain policy-related considerations.

南非国家公园资金保障机制及其对 中国的启示

建立完善的资金保障机制是国家公园运营管理的关键,决定了国家公园保护目标能否实现。对南非国家公园资金保障机制的形成原因、特点及其保护绩效进行梳理后发现,其市场化特征显著,形成了以市场渠道为主、财政渠道与社会渠道为补充的资金保障机制。在多元化资金支持下,南非国家公园维持了较为完整的生态系统,为游客提供了高质量的服务,为社区转型作出了贡献,但也存在生物多样性保护不力和环境破坏的问题。根据中国国家公园试点情况,同时借鉴南非国家公园资金保障机制的经验和教训,我国应根据国家公园建设阶段的不同实行不同的资金模式;合理确定资金使用结构;在不损害保护目标的前提下,开展特许经营、生态旅游业务。     

Substitution of piped water and self-supplied groundwater: The case of residential water in South Africa

The choice of water for use by residential households is usually limited to the centralized and more regulated piped water or the decentralized and less regulated groundwater sources. Many households secure access to water through self-supply from groundwater sources, consequently putting the resource at risk. Our analysis shows empirical evidence on the determinants of households’ choice of water-supply sources and suggests a high substitution threshold for piped water and self-supplied groundwater in South Africa. Furthermore, we provide insights into the potential welfare impact of a stylized piped water tariff change that reduces prices and leads to increased piped water choices.