Showing papers by "Bankole Awuzie published in 2019"

Modelling Organisational Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Implementation Performance in Higher Education Institutions: An Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) Approach

Abstract: Globally, higher education institutions (HEIs) have continued to record varied sustainable development (SD) implementation performances. This variance has been attributed to the presence of certain organisational factors. Whereas previous studies have successfully identified the factors influencing SD implementation performance in HEIs, few studies have attempted to explore the relationship between these factors and the influence of such a relationship on the management of SD implementation in HEIs. This is the objective of this study. Understandably, knowledge of such relationships will facilitate the development of appropriate frameworks for managing SD implementation in HEIs. Relying on a case study of a South African University of Technology (SAUoT), this study elicits data through a focus group discussion session. An interpretative structural modelling (ISM) focus group protocol indicating extant pair-wise relationships between identified organisational factor categories was extensively discussed. The emergent data was recorded, transcribed verbatim and subsequently analysed. The findings suggest that communication was critical to the prevalence of other factors, hence indicating its centrality to the effective management of SD implementation in HEIs. These findings will guide implementing agents in HEIs towards developing appropriate mechanisms for communicating SD implementation strategies.

Challenges to Lean Construction Implementation in South Africa

Abstract: Efforts of the lean construction could prove to be highly worthwhile for the South African construction sector. Evidently exposed continuous poor performance of projects exhibit that the concept of lean thinking would push the construction industry’s pursuit to advance quality and efficiency. While numerous countries internationally gained large benefits by adopting Lean Construction (LC) concepts, there still seems to be inadequate application of lean in South African construction industry, over the last two decades. A number of structural and cultural barriers appear to be militating against the successful implementation of lean construction. By not recognizing the factors that contribute to the successful application of LC, organizations will not be able to know what improvement efforts need to be made, where these efforts should be focused, or which efforts could obtain best results. For this reason, this study sought to identify and assess the possible barriers to the successful implementation of LC in South Africa. Grounded on a systematic literature review, followed by semi-structured interviews with Lean experts in the country, a number of barriers were acknowledged as significant barriers. Further investigation discovered that policy changes and cultural change are some of the barriers exposed as significant. The results of this study could be employed to help researchers, practitioners and companies in South African construction industry to focus their attention and resources on the significant issues, crucial to support the successful implementation of LC.

Procurement as a Medium for Implementing Local Content Development Policies

Abstract: Local content development policies (LCDPs) have become a dominant feature in socio-economic developmental discourse within and beyond the comity of developing countries. Proponents of LCDP policies have advocated for a transformation in the extant mode of LCDP implementation in developing countries. They maintain that the current form of implementation through targeted procurement policies and trade embargoes have led to the emergence of a rent-seeking culture among a cross-section of the citizenry of these countries leaving most of the populace, unskilled, unemployed and poor. However, these anomalies are not only experienced in the developing country context but also in the developed country context. In this chapter, a review of the state-of-the-art literature as it pertains to the LCDP regimes in different countries and the role of different procurement systems in engendering implementation. Of significance is the review of the Nigerian and United Kingdom LCDP policies and implementation strategies within the realm of infrastructure delivery systems. It is expected that the chapter will enable effective comprehension of the various modalities being deployed in LCDP implementation through infrastructure delivery systems.

Infrastructure Delivery Systems: Governance and Implementation Issues

Abstract: This book provides a framework for governing policy implementation by various stakeholders during the delivery of infrastructure projects. This framework relies on the tenets of the Viable Systems Model (VSM), a systems cybernetic model that enjoys a high level of acceptance in organizational analysis. The book presents a step-by-step guide for the multi-level governance of implementation during project delivery. Although the book focuses on the context of local content development policy and construction projects (infrastructure), it is presented in a manner that allows it to be adapted to other policies and sectors. The book includes a step-by-step methodology for assessing policy implementation in project or policy delivery systems. In addition, it shares insights into the probable challenges faced by the actors within the delivery system in achieving optimal implementation performance. Critical success factors are also highlighted, and illustrative diagrams of the framework are provided to facilitate understanding. The book is logically structured and presented in a straightforward manner. Also, the transposition of the VSM from a conventional organizational context to a multi-organizational context will appeal to readers with a background in systems thinking, monitoring or evaluation.

Identification of Factors Influencing the Implementation of Socio-economic Benefits Through Infrastructure Delivery Systems

Abstract: The performance of infrastructure delivery systems in the implementation of socio-economic policy objectives has come under scrutiny in recent times. This is due to the persistence of economic hardship being experienced by most of the global populace despite increased infrastructure investments. The ability of infrastructure projects to contribute towards improved productivity has not been in doubt. Yet, these investments have failed to bring about the expected levels of socio-economic upliftment of persons living under dire conditions. Advocates have proposed the deployment of the delivery stages to create access to finance and skills development among these people. Examples like targeted procurement will suffice in this regard. However, these delivery systems appear t have failed in engendering effective implementation. Also, the lack of an appropriate mechanism for diagnosing, monitoring and controlling effective implementation within the infrastructure delivery systems has been identified as the bane of these system’s ability to deliver. In subsequent chapters, a model—the viable infrastructure delivery system (VIDM) as developed to achieve this objective. In this chapter, the deployment of the VIDM in the diagnosis of distinct infrastructure delivery systems has resulted in the identification of factors which have contributed in one way or the other to the performance of these systems in the implementation of socio-economic policy objectives. As such, the diagnosis gave rise to the identification of critical success and failure factors influencing policy implementation within these delivery systems. It is expected that the contents of this chapter will assist relevant stakeholders in planning for optimal implementation of socio-economic objectives through infrastructure delivery systems.

Probable Challenges Facing Servitization Adoption in Construction: Lessons from the Manufacturing Sector

Abstract: The construction industry has acquired a reputation for product delivery without consideration for associated services. This dissatisfaction of clients due to the non-functionality of such products has led to a clamour for the adoption of servitization. Servitization entails a transition from selling products to offering products that are blended with services to add value to the end-user. This study explores probable challenges associated with the adoption of servitization within the construction industry based on lessons learnt from the manufacturing sector. A systematic review of the servitization literature was conducted. The literature selection was predicated on a set of keywords from various databases. These articles were analyzed using qualitative content analysis based on pre-selected themes. Results indicate that poor communication flow and nature of contractual arrangements which foster further fragmentation as well as lack of clear service-orientated strategies posed as probable barriers to the adoption of servitization in the construction industry.

Engendering Transparency In Value Determination of Wetlands In Nigeria's Niger Delta: A Case For An Abductive Approach

Abstract: Reviews of previous investigations into the causes of restiveness and economic deprivation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria reveal that the payment of inadequate compensation for acquired landed assets has contributed immensely to this incidence of these circumstances. Whereas several studies have sought to investigate the reasons for such complaints, a paucity of studies seeking to conduct such investigation from a theory development praxis has been noted. This study is prompted by this observation. A parallel convergent mixed method research design was deployed for data elicitation. Data was obtained through a mix of interviews and questionnaire surveys. The information sought was premised on the need to understand the approaches used by valuers and to determine if any research approach was applied during the process. The emergent data was using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study indicate that the dominant method for valuation of wetlands for compensation purposes; the pre-determined compensation rates method, was predicated on the deductive approach. After a review of the four approaches available, the paper recommends the adoption of an abductive research approach for value determination in such instances due to the inherent principles associated with the approach.

Model Development and Initial Validation

Abstract: Models and frameworks have been described as platforms for resolving contemporary real-world challenges. This is due to their ability to provide a symbolic depiction of real-world scenarios. As such, various studies have relied on models and frameworks in proffering solutions to different problems. A prevalence of models and frameworks developed and validated through overt reliance on quantitative data have been observed in the literature. This is particularly the case with model development in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) disciplines. In chapter, the process of model development and validation based on qualitative data is explicated. A three-tier approach to model validation which had been hitherto deployed in the validation and verification of Human, Social, Cultural and Behavioural (HSCB) models was utilized. Also, the systematic combining approach was used in establishing the model-theory fit as suggested in similar studies which had adopted abductive reasoning logic. In summary, this chapter provides a step by step account of the approaches which can be deployed in model validation and verification using qualitative data set in AEC research using a viable infrastructure delivery systems model (VIDM) exemplar.

Conclusion, Recommendations and Implications

Abstract: This is the concluding chapter. As such, it catalogues the objectives of the study, the theoretical underpinnings of the study, the processes of model development as deployed during the development of the viable infrastructure delivery system model (VIDM). In this chapter, the finding of the study as obtained from the case studies were explicated in this chapter. Also, the chapter provides recommendations for relevant stakeholders to adopt in the enablement of effective policy implementation of socio-economic policy objectives through infrastructure delivery systems in developed and developing country contexts respectively.

Infrastructure Delivery Systems: An Organisational Viability Perspective

Abstract: Advocates have continued to lament the inability of infrastructure investments in those climes to contribute to socio-economic upliftment for most of the populace. Previous studies have attributed this deficiency to improper planning, lack of relevant skills and finance, poor regulation, etc. These studies have proposed solutions, but these solutions remain at best, perfunctory as the challenges persist. One area that has been consistently overlooked is the absence of a real-time, monitoring and evaluation system entrenched within the infrastructure delivery system to provide for self-governance within the system. The process of infrastructure procurement and delivery takes place over an extensive duration. Often, monitoring and evaluation as well as an appraisal of the system’s performance is carried out upon commissioning and close out of the project. Indeed, this is considered problematic. In this chapter, a conceptual framework for performing real-time monitoring and evaluation, process control and co-ordination has been proposed. This framework is predicated on the concept of systems viability. As such, the viable systems model (VSM) is deployed towards framework development. The advantages of the VSM as well as its utility in providing a tool for diagnosing infrastructure delivery systems is highlighted in this chapter. Also, the component parts of an infrastructure delivery system, the relationship between these parts and, the influence of the nature of these relationships on the performance of the delivery systems vis-a-vis local content development policies (LCDP) implementation is discussed in more detail in the chapter.

Identification of Planning and Design Factors Influencing Stakeholders’ Acceptance of Public Transport Facility

Abstract: Adequate functionality and utilization of transportation infrastructure is critical to national development of a country. In view of this, South Africa’s National Development Plan is set out to ensure that all transport facilities are functional and utilized by 2030. However, stakeholders reject some public transportation infrastructure projects or facilities across the nation thereby causing traffic and economic growth related problems. This paper has examined the geometric parameters of Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility and the influence of planning and design factors on stakeholders’ acceptance of public transport infrastructure. Physical observations and measurements of geometric parameters of case study facility as well as stakeholders’ interview are used to obtain geometric parameters and stakeholders opinions. The geometric parameters are analysed using relevant empirical models while content analysis is used to understand the various interviews conducted. The results show that minimum turning radii, driveway width, parking bays size, proximity to trip ends, community need for a transport facility and parking facility size are function of stakeholders’ acceptance.

Organizational Diagnosis of Infrastructure Delivery Systems

Abstract: The absence of an appropriate mechanism for diagnosing the ability of infrastructure delivery systems to engender the implementation of socio-economic objectives like local content development policies has been explicated. The temporary nature of the IDS makes it imperative that such mechanisms should be able to carry out this task during the lifecycle of the IDS and not after the disbandment of the IDS as is norm presently. As a result of this observation, a mechanism for carrying out such diagnosis. In this chapter, three distinct infrastructure delivery system case studies are diagnosed extensively relying on the Viable Infrastructure Delivery Systems Model (VIDM) which was developed and validated in Chap. 4. The deployment of the VIDM in the diagnosis of these cases enabled further validation and verification of the model. The chapter provides a succinct and detailed insight into the workings of the VIDM within the context of socio-economic policy implementation through infrastructure delivery systems in developed and developing countries respectively. In furtherance to this, it proves to be of immense significance to academics, policy-makers and practitioners within the realm of strategy/policy implementation research and the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industrial sector as it provides them with a toolkit for investigating the causes of implementation failure.