Software and Mobile Apps as a Strategy for Productivity Improvement in the Construction Industry

The construction industry, known for its low productivity, is increasingly utilising software and mobile apps to enhance efficiency. However, more comprehensive research is needed to understand the effectiveness of these technology applications. The PRISMA principles utilised a scoping review methodology to ascertain pertinent studies and extract significant findings. From 2013 onwards, articles containing data on mobile applications or software designed to enhance productivity in the construction sector were obtained from multiple databases, including Emerald Insight, Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. After evaluating 2604 articles, 30 were determined to be pertinent to the study and were subsequently analysed for the review. The review identified five key themes: effectiveness, benefits, successful implementation examples, obstacles and limitations, and a comprehensive list of software and mobile apps. In addition, 71 software and mobile apps have shown potentially how these technologies can improve communication, collaboration, project management, real-time collaboration, document management, and on-the-go project information and estimating processes in the construction industry, increasing efficiency and productivity. The findings highlight the potential of these technologies such as Automation, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) to improve efficiency and communication in the construction industry. Despite challenges such as cost, lack of awareness, resistance to change, compatibility concerns, human resources, technological and security concerns and licensing issues, the study identifies specific mobile applications and software with the potential to enhance efficiency significantly, improve productivity and streamline workflows. The broader societal impacts of construction software and mobile app development include increased efficiency, job creation, and sustainability.

Leadership and Top Management Influence on Total Quality Management Implementation in the Ghanaian Construction Industry

This study aims to determine the key and underlying Leadership and Top Management (LTM) factors that have a significant impact on sustaining the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) within the construction industry in Ghana. The research methodology employed in this study was a quantitative technique. Questionnaires were distributed to 641 participants within construction industry in Ghana. Questionnaires retrieved for the analysis were 536. Three steps approached were used for the data analysis. These include Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis. After conducting the EFA and CFA, SEM was also used to analyze the construct validity. The SEM analysis helps to determine four key indicator variables for the leadership and top management construct. These include Leadership/Top Management approach to employees’ management, Leadership/Top Management understanding of TQM, Leadership/Top Management empowerment of employees to resolve quality issues, and Leadership/Top Management endorsement of TQM. All the four indicator variables were found to be good of fit and closely associated with the dependent variable. The study adds to the body of knowledge by using EFA, CFA and SEM techniques to establish key leadership and top management factors affecting TQM implementation in Ghana’s construction industry. The findings in general suggested that leadership and top Management factors identified have a direct positive impact on sustaining TQM implementation in the Ghanaian construction industry. Consequently, the leadership and top management factors identified in this study can help improve TQM in the Ghanaian construction industry.

Effect of Lateritic Stone Aggregate and Coconut Husk Fiber on the Properties of Concrete

Natural stone aggregate forms the bulk volume of concrete and has contributed to the increased cost of concrete production. This has led to the search for alternate aggregates such as lateritic stone for concrete production. This paper investigates the engineering properties of concrete produced with lateritic aggregate (LA) as the coarse aggregate replacement and coconut husk fibre (CHF) as reinforcement. Natural stone aggregate was replaced by LA at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, with 0.25% constant CHF by weight. A mix proportion of 1:1.5:3 with a water-cement ratio of 0.6 was used for producing concrete. A total of 162 specimens (90 cubes and 72 beams) were prepared and tested at the 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of curing. The highest compressive strength was 43.36 N/mm2 (10% LA replacement) as compared to the control of 41.51 N/mm2. The 10% LA replacement obtained the highest flexural strength of 5.35 N/mm2 as compared with the 5.29 N/mm2 for the control. The water absorption of the concrete increased from 2.8% (control) to 3.57% (50% replacement LA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed micro gaps between CHF and LA concrete. The study, therefore, concludes that the use of LA and CHF positively influenced the strength properties of concrete. 10% LA replacement of coarse aggregate and 0.25% CHF is recommended to practitioners for use.

Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders towards Ensuring Health and Safety at Construction Site

Health and Safety issues in the construction industry are of much concern to stakeholders, particularly because of their impact on the industry. This paper explored the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in ensuring health and safety at the construction site. A well-structured interview guide was adopted for the qualitative study. Content analysis was adopted for the analysis of the results. The study revealed that the twelve roles identified by the stakeholders are only limited to the few laws and regulations they are aware of. Whereas the Contractors identified provision of welfare facilities, provision of health and safety policy, and health and safety plan as their key roles, the Consultants’ role was mainly limited to provision of competent site agent and provision of site layout. Abiding by the contractors’ instruction was identified by the Construction Workers as their key responsibilities. The local government officials also identified enforcement of CHS laws and regulations and reporting of incidents to the appropriate authorities, whereas the traditional authorities identified the enforcement of CHS laws and regulations including bye laws and enforcement of customs as their key roles. The findings further show that the stakeholders failed to appreciate some key roles and responsibilities enshrined in CHS laws and regulations in Ghana. The findings contribute to knowledge on stakeholders’ responsibilities in ensuring CHS, and provide valuable reference and insight to practitioners on the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. It is recommended to train and educate stakeholders on all the relevant laws and regulations on CHS in order to improve health and safety at the construction site. The government should also set up a body such as Construction Authority to educate, coordinate, monitor and audit the activities of stakeholders to improve CHS at construction sites.

Framework for Improving Construction Health and Safety on Ghanaian Construction Sites

The enormity of the problem of construction accidents and hazards in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI) calls for the need to engage in relevant research to equip stakeholders with the required knowledge to improve construction health and safety (CHS) and reduce site accidents and hazards. The complexity of the problem of accident causation explains a large number of conceptual models developed to aid the understanding of the dynamics involved in CHS. This paper involved a qualitative study to identify causes of accidents and hazards in the GCI and underlying issues requiring remedying and also a desk study to review Health and Safety related theories and concepts from extant literature to explain and contribute to the improvement of CHS. The paper contributes to the use of theories to advance studies on improving health and safety at construction sites, especially in developing countries like Ghana, where such studies have so far attracted little attention. The framework may enable construction stakeholders to easily identify problem areas on site and apply required improvement measures to create a healthier and safer construction site. The findings may provide useful knowledge to improve CHS and reduce site accidents and hazards, and also provide a multi-theory approach for understanding the dynamics of the complexity of the problems involved in CHS.

Feasibility Study of Construction Project in Compliance with Bank Investment Supervision Requirements

On the basis of the 12-year author’s practice of bank investment supervision developed methodology significant construction projects risks have been identified and measured: risks of the highest impact values and risks of the biggest likelihood appearance. The research has been recorded in 400-450 reports of 42 investment projects in advanced manufacturing, commercial, residential, hotels and apartment housing sectors. At least one risk of the highest measured level of significance has been highlighted at each phase of investment process: design, construction and maintenance. A reasonable level of risks significance has been determined which stands for not more than 1/3 of possible significance in “risks monitoring” strategy. EPCM (engineering, project and construction management) approach to investment process and solid, consequent, regular construction projects monitoring executed by professional BSI (banking supervision inspector) makes possible to minimise any faults of inappropriate financing of construction projects.

Stakeholders’ Compliance with Existing Construction Health and Safety Related Laws and Regulations in Ghana

This paper explored stakeholders’ compliance with existing laws and regulations related to construction health and safety (CHS) in the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). Qualitative research approach was adopted for the data collection, using semi-structured interview guide. An in-depth face-to-face interview based on the grounded theory approach was conducted with actors who play important roles in ensuring health and safety at the construction site as well as key officers and professionals who are the major stakeholders in the GCI. Content analysis was adopted for the analysis of the qualitative data. The findings of the study show customary laws, bye laws, Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) and the contract document as the key existing CHS related laws and regulations that the stakeholders comply with. The stakeholders also identified the following construction health and safety related regulations in the GCI which have low compliance rate: Factories, Shops and Offices Act, 1974 (Act 323), Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Act 490), among others. The findings of the research contribute to knowledge of stakeholders’ compliance with existing laws and regulations related to CHS, and underscore the need to ensure monitoring and enforce compliance in the GCI. The findings further identify areas for stakeholders to focus attention on ensuring good health and safety practices, and also expose critical training and education needs for stakeholders in the GCI. The findings provide valuable insights on stakeholders’ compliance with laws and regulations related to CHS in Ghana, which may be applicable to other developing countries with similar construction industry.

Critical Barriers to Traditional Project Progress Measurement: Perspectives of Ghanaian Construction Professionals

Accurate project progress measurement is critical for effective project management. Besides guarantying smooth work progress, it affords project managers the chance to identify early warning signs for peremptory remedial actions to keep the project on schedule and to budget. However, pertinent barriers can suppress the realization of the benefits of an accurate assessment of construction progress. This study aims to identify, examine and prioritize the critical barriers militating against accurate project progress measurement in the Ghanaian construction industry. Sixteen barriers identified from the literature were administered in a questionnaire survey to professionals with tier one construction firms and consultants. Sixty experienced construction professionals practising with tier-one construction firms and consultancy services took part in the survey. The relative importance index technique was used to rank the factors and correlation in responses of the two parties tested by the Mann-Whitney U statistics. The most critical barriers perceived by the professionals were 1) Reliance on Supervisor’s Judgement, 2) Generic and Non-Systematic Approach, 3) Variable Quality of Data and 4) Intricate Measurement Reports. Other highly ranked barriers include 5) Lack of Timely Information, 6) Laborious Data Gathering and 7) Quality Integration Constraint. The findings underpin the need to minimize dependence on subjective opinions and mere experiences of supervisors for assessment of project progress in this age of information technology. Incorporation of a level of automation into traditional progress methods will not only reduce human errors introduced into manually collected data but facilitate visualization of progress reports. Contiguous to a clear specification of the method of progress measurement in the contract document, a system that conveniently integrates cost, time and scope of work into progress measurement must be pursued. Addressing these identified critical barriers will consolidate current construction progress management practices.

Bureaucratic Factors Impeding the Delivery of Infrastructure at the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana

Decentralisation of infrastructure delivery to sub-national governments has become commonplace in governments worldwide especially in developing countries such as Ghana. This is due to the benefits of decentralisation in improving public service delivery. However, decentralised infrastructure delivery is marred with numerous challenges that render most local governments incapable of providing infrastructure within their localities. This paper explored the bureaucratic factors that impede infrastructure delivery at the MMDAs in Ghana. A questionnaire survey with 121 construction professionals in the Departments of Works (DoWs) of the MMDAs within the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana was conducted. The results indicated six (6) major components of the bureaucratic factors that impede the delivery of infrastructure at the MMDAs: Central government bureaucracy;Minimal control of MMDAs;Political influence;MMDA project funding;Lack of capacity of MMDAs;and Political interference. This paper calls for a more committed central government to the establishment of adequate decentralised structures and implementation of major reforms that would remove the bureaucratic obstacles in the delivery of infrastructure at the MMDAs, to ensure effective infrastructure delivery at the MMDAs.

Study on the Suitability of Soils in Ilu Aba Bora Zone for Hydraform Block Production for Low Cost Construction

Due to high construction material cost in Ethiopia,it is difficult to afford a shelter for most people.The hydra form block(HFB)has been identified as low-cost building material with its potential and possibility to reverse the housing problem.Laboratory tests were conducted on Mettu,Nopa,Gore,and Hurumu areas soil.Using hydra form machine with average mold size of 29*14*10 cm,hydra form blocks were cast with the three percentages increment of cement.Compressive strength and water absorption tests were conducted at 28 day.The investigation has revealed that all the soil sample except Gore soil have significant characteristics that make it suitable for stabilization with recommended soil properties.From the experimental study,all the blocks except blocks produced with Gore soil have 28th day compressive strength values well above most of the recommended minimum values.Water absorption was less than the maximum limit of 15%.But,for control block and for stabilized with 3%cement,water absorption result is out of the recommended values(0-15)%.The cost comparison of hydra form blocks with hollow concrete block and fired clay brick shows that the hydra form block is cheapest walling material in terms of production cost and a typical hydra form block production center can create jobs for more than 50 people.

An Exploratory Study into Social Cost Considerations in Ghanaian Construction Industry

Construction causative nuisances, inconveniences, interferences and disruptions to the routine economic and social life patterns of adjacent or neighboring communities are referred to as social cost. This study explores the understanding and level of consideration of social cost by construction professionals in Ghana. Relevant literature sources are reviewed to define, rationalize and classify social cost. The study used the survey approach with a set of questionnaires addressed to construction contractors and professionals to gather the data. It was realized that not much consideration is given to social cost at the tender stage of the construction process. The five factors hindering social cost inclusion in tendering are “difficulty in allocating social costs”, “governmental interferences”, “lack of historical data”, “lack of appreciation of social costs” and “low stakeholder agitation”. The paper advocated for integration of social cost into the tendering process. The study will serve as a foundation to design a social cost assessment system at the pre-contract stage.

Development of Tender Price Indices for the Ghanaian Building Industry

Tender price indices (TPI) remain an optimum process for predicting tender prices. There have been several indices’ developments in the Ghanaian Building Industry (GBI) to help in cost management practices, for instance, building cost indices, and material indices among others. Notwithstanding, there are no indices for forecasting tender price at the design stage of building projects in the Ghanaian Building Industry. The motivation of this study is to develop tender price indices that would facilitate easy prediction of the initial cost of building projects. Through a thorough literature review and secondary data collection, the index was formulated using Laspeyres with Excel spreadsheet for the actual index. The variables considered include preliminaries and measured work sections which include the substructure, concrete work, reinforcement, masonry, lining/sheathing, window/door/stairs, metalwork, surface finishes, sanitary appliances/fitting and electrical supply/power light system of the Bills of Quantities. The finding of the study shows that on average there is a change in price of about 4.42 per cent within the eight-year period from 2008 to 2016. The study has developed tender price indices for the Ghanaian Building industry for the facilitation of the easy prediction of the tender prices at the initial design stage, however, the indices have an error margin of ±3. The development of these indices will serve as the basis for further development of other indices in GBI such as locational indices and value-based indices for effective cost management practices.

Urban Noise in a Metropolitan Towns

This study is aimed at bringing out the salient aspects of urban noise and its study and control aspects, at different location of a metropolitans town. Field measurements at different points of times a day have also been recorded at a number of high-traffic-intensity locations on main roads of towns. The data obtained are analyzed using SPSS package for calculation through ANOVA technique and the findings of these studies have been recorded. The variation of SPL considering the time of the day has been studied and illustrated through graphical plots. It shows that the peak early morning max sound pressure levels observed over the recommended limiting value. In some places, the low frequency noise predominates in the early morning hours, noise levels are significant among and within the 15 groups. The variation of sound pressure (Maximum, Minimum and L equivalent readings) levels as shown in the graphical plots, the Maximum and L equivalent levels exceeded the recommended noise level. Important conclusions of this work have been drawn subsequently.

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.

Critical Barriers to Social Sustainability: the Quantity Surveyors’ Perspective

Although the advocacy for Social Sustainability consideration in the construction industry has been on the rise,however,the practice of Social Sustainability(SS)is plagued with many barriers.The barriers that hinder practices of SS in the construction industry have to be identified and eliminated or mitigated.Notwithstanding,Not much research works have been conducted regarding the barriers that hinder SS in the construction industry.The study aims to explore the critical barriers to social sustainability from the perspective of the quantity surveyor.A comprehensive literature review was conducted and nineteen(19)variables(barriers)were identified.Structured questionnaires were designed and were answered by 110 out of a total sample size of 120 Quantity Surveying professionals recognised by the Ghana Institution of Surveyors(GhIS)representing approximately 92%response rate.The data collected were analysed using Factor Analysis.It was found that Socio-cultural barriers,Political and Technical barriers,knowledge or awareness barriers and financial barriers are the underlying group barriers for the 19 identified barriers.The study further revealed that,among the four underlying groups,Political and Technical barriers were the most dominant.This draws special attention to the government’s position in ensuring effective consideration in promoting social sustainability practices as well as the technical knowledge needed in the SS practice in Ghana.The study as well raises the awareness and the need to ensure adequate education,training and professional development.Again,sustainability literature was enhanced by analysing the critical barriers to achieving social sustainability from the perspective of the Quantity Surveyor.The findings and recommendations of the study is expected to help practitioners and policy makers adopt appropriate measures to overcome the barriers and thereby promote the integration of social sustainability into professional practices.