Environment, Development and Sustainability, Aug 31, 2021
The modern world has given rise to a new phenomenon known as ‘divergence of sciences’, meaning th... more The modern world has given rise to a new phenomenon known as ‘divergence of sciences’, meaning that various scientific activities occasionally affect a particular matter in different and sometimes contradictory ways. Considering this phenomenon, this paper discusses the relationships between the mutual interplay of legal, managerial, and engineering activities pertaining to the sustainable development of green buildings and has designed and explained a legal management model with an approach to green buildings in Iran as its main contribution. For this purpose, the qualitative research method was adopted, which entailed interviewing subject experts through the snowball research method, in combination with the quantitative method. The necessary requirements and identified indicators including, General Practical Approaches, Engineering, Managerial and Legal Indicators (EI, MI, LI), presented in this study, can significantly help coordinate the aggregate force of the three disciplines, and the main priorities set to achieve the comprehensive sustainable development goals (SDGs). According to the analyses of fifty-one identified indicators and their influence in four different fields on the SDGs, the study underscored the theory that even in the engineering world there is not a significant difference between these four fields in terms of implementing the SDGs.
Ergonomics SA : Journal of the Ergonomics Society of South Africa, Nov 1, 2011
The investigation of health and safety (H&S) climate has received a lot of research attention... more The investigation of health and safety (H&S) climate has received a lot of research attention in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS). The importance of two H&S dimensions that contribute to the H&S climate were studied. The effect of leadership, top management commitment to health and safety (H&S) and supervisor H&S leadership, and work pressure were examined as predictors of H&S behaviour amongst construction workers in South Africa. A descriptive design was used and a cross-sectional self-administered survey questionnaire was completed by 282 construction workers. The scales used were found to be reliable and valid. The results indicate the importance of considering the interaction between the two aspects of leadership in explaining H&S behaviour.
The purpose of the study is to identify the causes of construction waste generation in the Nelson... more The purpose of the study is to identify the causes of construction waste generation in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropole and highlight focus areas that may contribute to the minimisation of construction waste. The study is aimed at encouraging sustainable development within the construction industry, by means of waste minimisation, reduction, and recycling. The research comprises of a normative survey involving responses from a variety of construction related professionals in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropole. The results indicate: a lack of knowledge in key waste related areas such as construction waste management solutions and alternative materials with less inherent waste; industry participants understand what may be required to reduce waste, but are not incentivised to implement responses in practice; the best way to contribute to the reduction of waste is to educate all participants; the cost implications of construction waste is an important approach in terms of motivating stakeholders as it is one that that they all relate to. Conclusions include that the industry needs to make a paradigm shift if it wishes to realise a sustainable future, and become the leaders thereof.
Journal of construction project management and innovation, Jun 1, 2016
The construction industry as a whole has been suffering from mental stress due to a range of stre... more The construction industry as a whole has been suffering from mental stress due to a range of stressors imposed on the work force, resulting in behavioural habits which are not conducive to a healthy lifestyle, physical symptoms signalling burnout, chronic stress, and depression. An empirical study was conducted among medium to large civil engineering contractors in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole the sample stratum including site agents and foremen. The salient findings include: using unreliable and old tools, using dirty toilet facilites, and working on an untidy site are the most significant physical stressors; limited time spent with loved ones, tight deadlines, inadequate reward system, and work-life imbalance are the most significant organisational stressors; headaches, tense muscles, and smoking cigarettes are the most significant behavioural activities and physical sensations experienced; tired, weak and no energy, restless and on edge, and irritable are the most significant sensations of stress; feeling sad or down, restlessness, and decrease/increase in appetite are the most significant symptoms of depression. The objective of the study was to ascertain what stressors are imposed on a sample of site agents and foremen in the civil engineering sector of the construction industry. Further to the aforementioned, the study intended to identify what forms of strain, as also, the degree of stress and depression experienced by the work force. It can be concluded that a vast array of stressors negatively affect the civil engineering sector of the construction industry. Subsequently resulting in stress, depression, and mental/physical strain.
Construction continues to experience challenges in terms of a range of issues, namely an archaic ... more Construction continues to experience challenges in terms of a range of issues, namely an archaic process and activities, following procedures, data gathering and recording, monitoring, availability of skilled labour, and a declining interest in pursuing careers in the industry. Then, challenges are experienced in terms of performance relative to the project parameters of cost, environment, health and safety, productivity, quality, and time. Given the challenges and the advent of Industry 4.0, a study was conducted to determine the challenges experienced, performance relative to the project parameters, and the potential of Industry 4.0 to contribute to resolving the challenges. The study was quantitative in nature and entailed a self-administered questionnaire survey of medium to large general contractor members of the East Cape Master Builders Association (ECMBA) in the Port Elizabeth region. The findings include: respondents do understand Industry 4.0; a range of challenges, which negatively impact project and organisation performance, and the sustainability of organisations and the industry, are experienced in construction, and Industry 4.0 is perceived as having the potential to address the challenges experienced. Conclusions include that that there is: a need for improvement in performance in construction; potential to improve; a perceived need for the implementation of Industry 4.0, and a need for interventions to raise the level of awareness, and to integrate such technologies into built environment / construction education and training. Recommendations include: employer associations, professional associations, and statutory councils should raise the level of awareness relative to the potential implementation of Industry 4.0 in construction; case studies should be documented and the findings shared; tertiary built environment education programmes should integrate Industry 4.0 into all possible modules, and continuing professional development (CPD) should address Industry 4.0.
Environment, Development and Sustainability, Aug 31, 2021
The modern world has given rise to a new phenomenon known as ‘divergence of sciences’, meaning th... more The modern world has given rise to a new phenomenon known as ‘divergence of sciences’, meaning that various scientific activities occasionally affect a particular matter in different and sometimes contradictory ways. Considering this phenomenon, this paper discusses the relationships between the mutual interplay of legal, managerial, and engineering activities pertaining to the sustainable development of green buildings and has designed and explained a legal management model with an approach to green buildings in Iran as its main contribution. For this purpose, the qualitative research method was adopted, which entailed interviewing subject experts through the snowball research method, in combination with the quantitative method. The necessary requirements and identified indicators including, General Practical Approaches, Engineering, Managerial and Legal Indicators (EI, MI, LI), presented in this study, can significantly help coordinate the aggregate force of the three disciplines, and the main priorities set to achieve the comprehensive sustainable development goals (SDGs). According to the analyses of fifty-one identified indicators and their influence in four different fields on the SDGs, the study underscored the theory that even in the engineering world there is not a significant difference between these four fields in terms of implementing the SDGs.
Ergonomics SA : Journal of the Ergonomics Society of South Africa, Nov 1, 2011
The investigation of health and safety (H&S) climate has received a lot of research attention... more The investigation of health and safety (H&S) climate has received a lot of research attention in the field of occupational health and safety (OHS). The importance of two H&S dimensions that contribute to the H&S climate were studied. The effect of leadership, top management commitment to health and safety (H&S) and supervisor H&S leadership, and work pressure were examined as predictors of H&S behaviour amongst construction workers in South Africa. A descriptive design was used and a cross-sectional self-administered survey questionnaire was completed by 282 construction workers. The scales used were found to be reliable and valid. The results indicate the importance of considering the interaction between the two aspects of leadership in explaining H&S behaviour.
The purpose of the study is to identify the causes of construction waste generation in the Nelson... more The purpose of the study is to identify the causes of construction waste generation in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropole and highlight focus areas that may contribute to the minimisation of construction waste. The study is aimed at encouraging sustainable development within the construction industry, by means of waste minimisation, reduction, and recycling. The research comprises of a normative survey involving responses from a variety of construction related professionals in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropole. The results indicate: a lack of knowledge in key waste related areas such as construction waste management solutions and alternative materials with less inherent waste; industry participants understand what may be required to reduce waste, but are not incentivised to implement responses in practice; the best way to contribute to the reduction of waste is to educate all participants; the cost implications of construction waste is an important approach in terms of motivating stakeholders as it is one that that they all relate to. Conclusions include that the industry needs to make a paradigm shift if it wishes to realise a sustainable future, and become the leaders thereof.
Journal of construction project management and innovation, Jun 1, 2016
The construction industry as a whole has been suffering from mental stress due to a range of stre... more The construction industry as a whole has been suffering from mental stress due to a range of stressors imposed on the work force, resulting in behavioural habits which are not conducive to a healthy lifestyle, physical symptoms signalling burnout, chronic stress, and depression. An empirical study was conducted among medium to large civil engineering contractors in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole the sample stratum including site agents and foremen. The salient findings include: using unreliable and old tools, using dirty toilet facilites, and working on an untidy site are the most significant physical stressors; limited time spent with loved ones, tight deadlines, inadequate reward system, and work-life imbalance are the most significant organisational stressors; headaches, tense muscles, and smoking cigarettes are the most significant behavioural activities and physical sensations experienced; tired, weak and no energy, restless and on edge, and irritable are the most significant sensations of stress; feeling sad or down, restlessness, and decrease/increase in appetite are the most significant symptoms of depression. The objective of the study was to ascertain what stressors are imposed on a sample of site agents and foremen in the civil engineering sector of the construction industry. Further to the aforementioned, the study intended to identify what forms of strain, as also, the degree of stress and depression experienced by the work force. It can be concluded that a vast array of stressors negatively affect the civil engineering sector of the construction industry. Subsequently resulting in stress, depression, and mental/physical strain.
Construction continues to experience challenges in terms of a range of issues, namely an archaic ... more Construction continues to experience challenges in terms of a range of issues, namely an archaic process and activities, following procedures, data gathering and recording, monitoring, availability of skilled labour, and a declining interest in pursuing careers in the industry. Then, challenges are experienced in terms of performance relative to the project parameters of cost, environment, health and safety, productivity, quality, and time. Given the challenges and the advent of Industry 4.0, a study was conducted to determine the challenges experienced, performance relative to the project parameters, and the potential of Industry 4.0 to contribute to resolving the challenges. The study was quantitative in nature and entailed a self-administered questionnaire survey of medium to large general contractor members of the East Cape Master Builders Association (ECMBA) in the Port Elizabeth region. The findings include: respondents do understand Industry 4.0; a range of challenges, which negatively impact project and organisation performance, and the sustainability of organisations and the industry, are experienced in construction, and Industry 4.0 is perceived as having the potential to address the challenges experienced. Conclusions include that that there is: a need for improvement in performance in construction; potential to improve; a perceived need for the implementation of Industry 4.0, and a need for interventions to raise the level of awareness, and to integrate such technologies into built environment / construction education and training. Recommendations include: employer associations, professional associations, and statutory councils should raise the level of awareness relative to the potential implementation of Industry 4.0 in construction; case studies should be documented and the findings shared; tertiary built environment education programmes should integrate Industry 4.0 into all possible modules, and continuing professional development (CPD) should address Industry 4.0.
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