Browsing by Author "Bowen, Paul"

Now showing 1 - 13 of 13
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    Component unit pricing theory
    (2009) Cattell, David William; Bowen, Paul
    Building contractors are often commissioned using unit price based contracts. They, nevertheless, often compete on the basis of their overall project bids and yet are paid on the basis of these projectsâ constituent item prices. If a contractor decides these prices by way of applying an uneven mark-up to their estimates of their costs, this is known as unbalanced bidding. This research provides proof and explanation that different item pricing scenarios produce different levels of reward for a contractor, whilst exposing them to different degrees of risk. The theory describes the three identified sources of these rewards as well as provides the first explanation of the risks. It has identified the three types of risk involved and provides a model by which both the rewards as well as these risks can now be measured given any item pricing scenario. The research has included a study of the mainstream microeconomic techniques of Modern Portfolio Theory, Value-at-Risk, as well as Cumulative Prospect Theory that are all suited to making decisions that involve trading-off prospective rewards against risk. These techniques are then incorporated into a model that serves to identify the one item pricing combination that will produce the optimum value of utility as will be best suited to a contractorâs risk profile. The research has included the development of software written especially for this purpose in Java so that this theory could be tested on a hypothetical project. A test produced an improvement of more than 150% on the present-value worth of the contractorâs profit from this project, if they apply this model compared to if they instead price the project in a balanced manner.
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    Cultural-historical investigations into the dialectics of skills development implementation and occupational identity in the informal construction Small and Micro Enterprise workplace
    (2022) Hammond, Sylvia Frances; Bowen, Paul; Muthivhi, Azwihangwisi; Cattell, Keith
    This study explores the development of identity and agency on the part of young construction workers and work-seekers within the informal workplace environment of the South African post-apartheid construction industry. The study provides an exploration of the contradictions manifested in, and through, labour relations and skills development practices, via the daily struggles of the workplace participants. Ethnographic data are collected from the small and micro enterprise (SME) contractors and their workers; the work-seekers, who daily line the roadside identifying their skills via display of construction tools and signs; and skills development specialists. The rich data enables a cultural-historical analysis of the contradictions within the associated labour practices, and South Africa's post-apartheid skills development regime. These contradictions inevitably give rise to the struggles for identity development and agency on the part of the informal workplace participants The ground-breaking research of post-Vygotskian researchers such as Anna Stetsenko and leading Activity Theory scholars such as Yrjö Engeström and Annalisa Sannino, focus the analysis of workers' struggles. The research illustrates how skills development practices in South Africa fail to address the critical needs of informal workers and the unemployed work-seekers. In particular, the research finds that the ideology informing skills development practices in South Africa emphasises Western-centric notions, and precludes indigenous practices, specifically, the culturally relevant values of collective solidarity, extended family, and community relationships. These values are embodied in the ethos of ubuntu, mirroring the Vygotskian essence, and expansive learning, which identifies the relevance of the social to the individual's learning, and occupational identity development. As a result, the analysis unriddles the material structures of skills development and labour practices that perpetuate the exclusion and marginalisation of many young South Africans, thereby limiting access to skilled employment, and active participation in the country's post-apartheid socioeconomic activity. Therefore, employing these conceptual and analytic tools, the study posits a theory-informed model for transforming the prevailing structures, and the related practices. Primary recommendations are to clearly differentiate skills development from education; and to utilise skills development as a mediational tool for agency, in a workplace format tailored to the construction informal sector. The object being fulfilment of redress, with an outcome of disrupting post-apartheid South Africa's overwhelming poverty, unemployment, expanding inequality, and socioeconomic marginalisation of youth.
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    HIV/AIDS-related stigma in the South African construction industry: the case of ESKOM
    (2015) Fredericks, Cameron; Bowen, Paul
    The South African construction industry has not responded effectively to address the high HIV-prevalence rate within its workforce. The Western Cape construction industry is the least responsive. No formal studies have examined how the construction industry's unresponsiveness to the pandemic has impacted Eskom's capital construction projects. Central to the fight against the spread of the disease is voluntary testing and counselling (VCT). AIDS-related stigma and discrimination are impediments to VCT. The aim of this study is to explore how stigmatisation and discrimination of HIV/AIDS positive persons negatively impacts site-based HIV/AIDS intervention programmes implemented at Eskom construction sites. The three main objectives are: to determine the current attitude and views Koeberg employees have towards HIV/AIDS; to determine if the stigma of HIV/AIDS prevents Koeberg employees from accessing HIV intervention programmes offered at Koeberg; and to determine the percentage of Koeberg employees utilising the HIV intervention programme at Koeberg. A self-administered questionnaire gathered data from 296 site-based employees, mostly contract construction workers, at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, located in Cape Town. The data were analysed using Pearson's product-moment correlation, the test for differences in means, the chi- square test for independence, and multiple regression analysis. These statistical analyses were conducted to determine relationships among 'demographic' variables (age, gender, ethnicity, employment type, marital status and education level) and 'cognitive ' and 'behavioural' factors ('lifestyle risk', 'condom non-compliance', 'substance use', 'HIV/AIDS knowledge', and 'attitudinal fear of testing') - to predict HIV/AIDS-related stigma. The results indicate that: (1) age predicts lifestyle risk, condom non-compliance and alcohol consumption - younger workers i.e., under 30 years, consume more alcohol , partake to a greater extent in riskier sexual affairs , but practice safer sex than older workers; (2) gender predicts lifestyle risk and alcohol use, and directly influences attitudinal fear of being tested for HIV – younger men, particularly contract construction workers, tend to be more fearful of being tested for HIV, lead riskier sexual lifestyles, and consume greater amounts of alcohol; (3) ethnicity predicts condom non- compliance and alcohol consumption – 'White', 'Indian' and 'Coloured' men are less likely to use condoms and consume more alcohol than 'Black' African men; and (4) HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudinal fear of testing predicts stigmatised views toward HIV/AIDS - those with lower levels of education and possessing poor knowledge about HIV/AIDS, coupled with high attitudinal fear of testing, hold highly stigmatised views towards HIV/AIDS persons. 'Coloured' employees living with HIV have higher levels of felt-stigma and enacted stigma than 'Black' African employees living with HIV. The Koeberg site-based HIV/AIDS intervention programme should increase its focus on communicating the benefits of being tested for HIV/AIDS, and encourage younger men, particularly contract construction workers, to undergo testing. Effort should also be focussed on reassuring employees about their confidentiality and dispel misinformation and myths associated with the disease. Finally, Koeberg senior management should pledge their support, influence and guide construction firms employed at Koeberg to utilise the Eskom HIV/AIDS intervention programme.
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    An investigation into sustainable low income settlements in the developing world : lessons for South Africa
    (2008) Ross, Nicole; Lincoln, David; Bowen, Paul
    The aim of this study was to investigate cases of sustainable low income settlements from across the developing world in order to draw conclusions and recommendations for the South African context. Sustainable construction, which falls under the ambit of sustainable development, formed the theoretical basis of this study. In the developing world, where one of the most pressing issues is a dire housing shortage due to ever increasing urbanisation, and where the construction industry often impacts negatively on people and the natural environment, the need to make sustainable interventions in the built environment remains urgent for the survival of human beings.
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    Psychological Distress Among South African Civil Engineers
    (2022) Aldera, Daniela; Cattell, Keith; Bowen, Paul
    The construction industry is notoriously associated with work-related stress and time pressures. The repercussions of stress are experienced by both employees and organisations. The focus on the mental health and overall well-being of workers has been more prevalent in the public consciousness in recent years. Research focused on psychological distress has become popular in recent studies due to its close relationship with workload issues and worklife conflict among employees. This study investigates the determinants of psychological distress among South African civil engineers. Specifically, the occurrence of availability of resources and communication, job control, (un)balanced workload, work relationships, job security and change, and working conditions are studied to determine the association between these factors and psychological distress. The research method comprised a critical review of the existing literature on psychological distress, workplace stressors, and the distribution of an online survey questionnaire to civil engineer members of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE). Using the 142 survey responses, multiple regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between availability of resources and communication, job control, (un)balanced workload, work relationships, job security and working conditions, and psychological health. The results indicate that psychological distress is determined by all the workplace stressors, except job control. Interventions aimed at reducing psychological distress among civil engineers in South Africa should focus on the development and promotion of mental health programmes and general support to employees by organisations.
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    Risk management in the cost planning and control of building projects : the case of the quantity surveying profession in Kenya
    (2005) Wanyona, Githae; Bowen, Paul; Rwelamila, PDM; Akintonye, A; Stevens, Alan J; Root, David
    This thesis examines financial risk management in the cost planning and cost control of building projects in Kenya. The quantity surveying professional in Kenya is faced with poor access to the recorded cost data needed for preparing final building cost estimates and for budget prediction. This shortcoming is exacerbated by the passive role played by the professional building cost consultant during design development. Passive professional building cost consultants are unlikely to implement risk management strategies as part of the cost planning and cost control process. The proactive identification of risks and their outcomes is essential for budget prediction and for estimating future risk impacts. The need exists for a generalised procedure that can use the limited available project information, adapting it to specific projects through identified risk indicators such as risk groups, clusters and broad subsets. The primary objectives of the research project were to identify the characteristics of risk in current practice of cost planning and cost control of building projects, and to investigate the efficacy of the techniques employed to assess risk and risk impact in cost prediction.
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    The roadside work-seeker phenomenon in the South African informal construction sector
    (2016) Hammond, Sylvia; Bowen, Paul; Cattell, Keith
    A key objective of post-apartheid South Africa has been the integration of previously disadvantaged persons into the economy. Human resource development strategies of increased access to education and skills development are supported by a package of enabling legislation. The construction sector via implementation of critical infrastructure and public works offered potential for employment and training of unskilled and semi-skilled labour. This research evaluates the extent to which this potential been realised, and identifies sustainable best-practice and impediments to progress. A mixed methods research methodology utilises: a textual analysis of strategy, skills development policy and legislation; statistical indicators of national and construction sector employment; semi-structured personal and telephonic interviews with workers and junior contractors; and online discussion with skills development practitioners. The findings confirm a comprehensive strategy for integrated and articulated post-school education and training, and extensive development of vocational training institutions. However, the qualification structure including knowledge, applied skills, and formal work experience does not meet the requirements of the sub-contractor junior construction industry players. The compilation of skills into formal qualifications follows occupational structures that don’t parallel real world requirements. There has been indifferent implementation of the recognition of prior learning, and extensive use of casualised labour and short term employment contracts impede implementation of skills development. The practical implications are that both national and immigrant workers continue to be excluded from acquisition of formal qualifications and career development, limiting the scope of their employment potential to temporary, short-term, informal contracts. The multi-disciplinary analysis contextualises these human resource management practices within the policy and legislative framework, and the contested economic model. The conclusion offers practical suggestions to improve the economic status of labour: recognising discrete skills independent of full qualifications, and adoption of bonus payments such as the fishing sector “agsterskot”.
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    South African quantity surveyors: issues of gender and race in the workplace
    (2008) Bowen, Paul; Cattell, Keith; Distiller, Greg
    A web-based questionnaire survey of the opinions of SA quantity surveyors was undertaken to establish gender- and race-based differences in job satisfaction. Issues explored included demographic factors, issues of gender and race in the workplace, and gender and racial harassment and discrimination at work. 'Significant' differences on the basis of gender exist on a number of issues. Women, more than men, have strong positive feelings regarding their levels of job satisfaction, feel that their career expectations have been fulfilled, would choose the same career again, and would unequivocally recommend the career to others. Females see QS practices as male-dominated, see themselves as being blocked from advancement to managerial ranks, participating less in decision-making, and remunerated at a lower level than equivalent colleagues. Issues important to women include : gender representivity in the profession, flexible working hours and maternity leave above the statutory minimum. Although both gender groups report racial harassment and discrimination at work, women experience significantly more sexual and gender harassment and religious and gender discrimination than do males. 'Significant' differences on the basis of race are evident concerning : feelings of job satisfaction and views on maternity / paternity leave above statutory minima. 'Highly significant' differences on the basis of race arise over issues of : being subjected to greater supervision because of race, not being allowed to contribute meaningfully to the decision-making process, viewing PDI status as a valid basis for promotion, seeing race representivity in the profession as important in combating discrimination at work, having personally experienced racial harassment and discrimination at work, and seeing respect for individual diversity in the workplace as important - with 'Whites' viewing these issues less 'empathically' than their 'Non-white' counterparts. The results provide valuable indicators for how the quantity surveying firms can create a more conducive work environment for professional staff, particularly females.
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    A study of risk perceptions and communication in risk management for construction projects
    (2001) Edwards, Peter John; Bowen, Paul
    Bibliography: p. 269-301.
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    A study to establish the possible impact value management can have on the briefing stage of projects in the advertising industry
    (2009) Lichtenstein, Alon; Bowen, Paul
    The advertising industry is one that is barraged with problems that are found both within the agency environment and within the client-agency relationship. The problems identified have been categorised, by this report, into the areas: the agency environment that has changed due to technology; the inner-workings of the agency network; and the client-agency relationship. This research report focuses on the briefing stage of the advertising projects with a view to study the management process used to achieve clarity therein, in an endeavour to better understand problems the agency environment faces. Further, this study explored if an alternate method, Value Management (VM), can be implemented during the briefing stage of advertising projects. The effects were assessed and a further examination conducted to assess if the use of VM can remedy some of the problems facing the agency environment. As VM is designed to improve the value of a particular product offering, its application should positively impact on both advertising agency projects and client-agency relationships.
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    Validating survey measurement scales for AIDS-related knowledge and stigma among construction workers in South Africa
    (BioMed Central, 2016-01-23) Bowen, Paul; Govender, Rajen; Edwards, Peter
    Background: Construction workers in South Africa are regarded as a high-risk group in the context of HIV/AIDS. HIV testing is pivotal to controlling HIV transmission and providing palliative care and AIDS-related knowledge and stigma are key issues in addressing the likelihood of testing behaviour. In exploring these issues, various studies have employed an 11-item AIDS-related knowledge scale (Kalichman and Simbayi, AIDS Care 16:572-580, 2004) and a 9-item stigma scale (Kalichman et al., AIDS Behav 9:135-143, 2005), but little evidence exists confirming the psychometric properties of these scales. Methods: Using survey data from 512 construction workers in the Western Cape, South Africa, this research examines the validity and reliability of the two scales through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency tests. Results: From confirmatory factor analysis, a revised 10-item knowledge scale was developed (χ2 /df ratio = 1.675, CFI = 0.982, RMSEA = 0.038, and Hoelter (95 %) =393). A revised 8-item stigma scale was also developed (χ2 /df ratio = 1.929, CFI = 0.974, RMSEA = 0.045, and Hoelter (95 %) = 380). Both revised scales demonstrated good model fit and all factor loadings were significant (p < 0.01). Reliability analysis demonstrated excellent to good internal consistency, with alpha values of 0.80 and 0.74, respectively. Both revised scales also demonstrated satisfactory convergent and divergent validity. Limitations of the original survey from which the data was obtained include the failure to properly account for respondent selection of language for completion of the survey, use of ethnicity as a proxy for identifying the native language of participants, the limited geographical area from which the survey data was collected, and the limitations associated with the convenience sample. A limitation of the validation study was the lack of available data for a more robust examination of reliability beyond internal consistency, such as test-retest reliability. Conclusions: The revised knowledge and stigma scales offered here hold considerable promise as measures of AIDS related knowledge and stigma among South African construction workers.
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    Validation of the Schieman and Young measurement scales for work contact, work-family conflict, working conditions, psychological distress and sleep problems in construction industry professionals
    (BioMed Central, 2018-10-24) Bowen, Paul; Govender, Rajen; Edwards, Peter
    Background This study examined the construct validity and internal consistency of modified versions of the job autonomy and control, job pressure, work contact, work-family conflict, psychological distress, and sleep problems scales developed by Schieman and Young (2013) among construction professionals through confirmatory factor analysis and tests of internal consistency. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, survey data were collected from 942 South African construction professionals, of which 630 responses were considered for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine construct validity. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was used to determine the internal consistency, and convergent validity was tested using correlation analysis. Results The final CFA indicated very good model fit to the data (χ2 /df ratio = 2.11, IFI = .95, CFI = .95, RMSEA = .06, and Hoelter (95%) = 176). The scales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency: .82; .91; .83; .90; .90; and .73, respectively. Convergent validity was largely demonstrated with respect to direction of association, but not in relation to magnitude. A limitation of the validation study was the lack of available data for a more robust examination of reliability beyond internal consistency, such as test-retest. Conclusions The six scales developed by Schieman and Young (2013) hold promise as measures of work contact, work-family conflict, psychological distress, and sleep problems in relation to working conditions of construction professionals.
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    Vandalism in a South African township : an exploratory study of criminal damage to the built environment in Manenberg, Western Cape
    (2003) Heron, Elizabeth Clare; Bowen, Paul; Lincoln, MD
    The overall objective of this study is to identify the spatial distribution of vandalism and the causes of vandalism variance within a specific geographical area. The study concentrates on the impact of the built environment, particularly the design of the built environment as a motive for vandalism and has sought to identify the design elements of the built environment which encourage vandalism. The investigation for this study is limited to Manenberg, a residential township in the Western Cape. The methodology adopted for the study involves the collecting and interpretation of official police statistics of vandalism over a seven-year period. The statistical data is combined with the 1996 population census for the area. A GIS program is adopted in order to graphically represent the data. The statistical data is examined and presented in three focus areas: the frequency of vandalism, the nature of vandalism and the area and target of vandalism. Following the initial presentation, the data is compared to factors of the built environment specifically the design of the built environment. The study then presents the association between the design of the built environment and vandalism levels.