School of Construction Economics and Management (ETDs)

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External change management: the revised policy of registered construction health and safety agents in South Africa
(2021) Khoza, Sepelong Rebecca
Purpose: South Africa’s construction industry continuously strives to improve its health and safety( H&S). Consequently, South Africa revised its Construction Regulations in 2014 to include the requirement for the application for construction permit to include a competent construction health and safety (CHS) agent. This research investigates how change management processes enable construction companies to effectively comply with the revised H&S policy requirement. Design/methodology/approach: Using a cross-sectional survey design, an online structured questionnaire was sent to SACPCMP-registered construction professionals and construction professionals of a state-owned enterprise in South Africa using purposive sampling. 170 construction professionals responded (85% response rate). Likert scale/ ordinal data were collected on the factors affecting the registration for the CHS agents (Objective 1), understanding of the implications of implementing the revised H&S policy (Objective 2), applicability of the different change management strategies (Objective 3), and the attitudes towards organizational changes for implementing the revised H&S policy (Objective 4). Findings: There was a strong agreement that H&S is best implemented in the early phases of construction project (Objective 1). Average understanding existed that any person who is interested in being an H&S agent can become one by going for an interview only(Objective 2). Also, there was a strong agreement that project participants’ need to comply with the changes as required by the law (Objective 3) and that the attitude of top management towards change is positive (Objective 4).Research limitations/implications: The construction professionals acknowledge that the revised H&S policy needs to be adhered to, as per the law, however there are hindrances to being registered because of factors that can be sorted out by management and how they roll out the change management within the companies. Originality/ Value: The Ingenuity of the research is based on the change management in the context of the revised H&S policy in South Africa
The challenges and benefits associated with residential investment in South Africa: residential REIT and portfolio manager perspectives
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Van Straaten, Kevin; Simbanegavi, Prisca; Mpofu, Bekithemba
A common theme in addressing critical housing shortages is the call to leverage private sector resources using REITs. Despite South African having critical affordable housing shortages, REIT exposure to residential is far below the global REIT market average. Existing research brings to light the mixed views and perceptions between different stakeholders about the challenges and risks associated with residential REITs. This is exacerbated by the lack of input from managers of residential REITs and residential funds which is critical to establish a more in depth understanding of the characteristics of the sector. The purpose of this research was to understand the challenges faced, methods to overcome these challenges, and the unique benefits that residential investment offers from the perspectives of managers of residential REITs and large scale residential rental portfolios in South Africa. This was achieved using a qualitative survey consisting of semi-structured interviews with managers and executives of residential REITS and large scale residential rental portfolios. The findings provide a more granular look at some of the challenges faced by these key stakeholders, which provide a deep insight into the characteristics of the sector. The key finding is that the limited track record of residential REITs is cause for many of the challenges associated with residential investment in South Africa. Residential portfolio and REIT managers are implementing unique strategies to respond to some of challenges that arise in the context of South Africa such as a shift toward month-to-month leases and exploring methods of reducing utility costs which are increasing at above inflationary rates. These findings make a valuable contribution to the limited literature on residential REITs in South Africa and include insights from the stakeholders that are most acquainted with the sector which is key to helping broaden our understanding of the challenges and benefits of residential investment in South Africa. Understanding these characteristics is crucial in further developing and growing the residential REIT sector which has the potential to help leverage private sector resources to address the critical housing shortages in South Africa and Africa.
An assessment of the necessity of implementing a blockchain based land registry in South Africa
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-08) Jeram, Deelan; Saghatforoush, Ehsan; Azasu, Samuel
Background statement: Several nations have recently implemented blockchain-based land management systems, focusing on land registration, titling, recordation, and information management, to enhance transparency, trust, data security, data quality, and immutability through consensus mechanisms. This technology streamlines access and tracking of land records, reducing fraud, corruption, record manipulation, and property resale while lowering transaction costs. These advantages aim to address issues of inefficient and untrustworthy land records in less developed countries. Problem: South Africa faces challenges, ranking 108 out of 190 in property registration according to the World Bank, with lengthy procedures (7), extended transaction times (23 days), and high costs (8% of property value). In contrast, blockchain-adopting countries like Sweden and Georgia are ranked at 9 and 5, respectively. Despite these inefficiencies blockchain technology has not yet made an inroad into the land registration or transaction process. Aim – The aim of this study is to investigate the potential use of blockchain technology to digitize land registration in South Africa. Methods: This paper investigates a blockchain property registry pilot project in Khayelitsha, South Africa, using Peled's theoretical framework and employs qualitative research methodologies, including case study analysis and expert interviews, supplemented by a systematic literature review. Outcomes: The study reveals significant challenges in South Africa's land registration, including unreliable land records, informal land tenure systems, limited access for marginalized communities, corruption, weak legal frameworks, post-colonial property rights legacy, and inefficient real estate transactions. Despite the promise of blockchain, these issues persist, hindering progress. Eight key factors obstruct blockchain adoption in South Africa's land registry, including legal barriers, organizational resistance, technological hurdles, resource constraints, political and social factors, and trust-related issues. The case study identifies additional obstacles, such as misalignment of interests, lack of formal agreements, data quality issues, and further legal barriers. Nonetheless, the pilot project managed to create a "pseudo title deed" with potential benefits for the city. This study suggests the application of blockchain in state-subsidized housing developments to enhance data security and enable electronic land transactions. It emphasizes the need for a combination of expertise, infrastructure readiness, and procedural changes to facilitate innovation in the public sector. Despite the potential, the study concludes that South Africa's land registry is not yet prepared for widespread blockchain implementation, citing legal, technological, and organizational challenges. Significance: This research is the first to explore the limited adoption of blockchain technology for land registration in South Africa, contributing valuable insights to the field. This paper identifies critical factors for successful blockchain-based property registry implementation, offering insights for legislation, policy development, and land registration system design to address inequalities and improve land tenure in developing countries. It outlines a potential path for South Africa's Deeds Registry to implement blockchain technology in state-subsidized housing developments.
Exploring the challenges to drone-aided inspections in construction site management
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024-09) Khorombi, Shadrack; Terblanche, Rolien
The construction industry, marked by its complexity and evolving standards, demands attention and commitment to quality. To guarantee that works are going according to plan, standards and regulations, in terms of quality and compliance, routine inspection strategies are implemented as an intrinsic part of the project management plan. Construction inspections are generally performed as a contractual obligation to enable an independent view of construction works and their progress for key stakeholders and the client. However, traditional inspection techniques are generally laborious and risky. Inspectors are often exposed to exterior elements; unfavourable conditions; intrinsic risks. Despite all of this, inspectors are still unable to obtain in-depth information on some of the surfaces due the inability to access surfaces or structures to optimal proximity. Drone technology has been proposed as an alternative method to traditional inspection for safer and more efficient inspections. This study endeavoured to explore key challenges to the implementation of drone technology for construction inspections. The methodological approach that the researcher adopted to achieve the research aim encompassed a qualitative method with document analysis, case study and interviews selected as data collection strategies. Techniques to gather empirical information required included observations and semi-structured interview questions. To present findings that are valid, reliable and generalisable, NVivo software was used as a data analysis tool where content analysis and thematic analysis were employed as data analysis strategies. The utilisation of qualitative, inductive case studies within an interpretivist paradigm was considered necessary to contextualise and deepen the understanding of the nature and occurrence of the challenges impeding key role players from full adoption of drone technology for construction site inspection processes. Key findings entail the lack of capital and resource allocation, concerns about transparency and contractual accountability, and the need for clear evidence of return on investment. Technical complexity, disruption to site activities, lack of interest from key stakeholders, capacity issues, and connectivity issues were also uncovered as challenges in the adoption of drone-aided inspections. Additionally, the findings encompassed strategies to overcome challenges impeding the optimal use of drones in construction projects. This study evaluates the current state and potential for drone technology adoption within the South African construction industry, highlighting practical challenges encountered during actual deployments. By proposing solutions such as streamlining regulatory processes and enhancing stakeholder collaboration, the research offers valuable pathways to optimise drone technology implementation during construction documentation and management.