Grant K. Kululanga

Measuring project risk management process for construction contractors with statement indicators linked to numerical scores

Purpose – There is relatively low implementation of formal project risk management methods in practice, leading to the construction industry consistently suffering from poor project performance. This study aims to ascertain the extent to which current project risk management practices are used by construction contractors in one of the countries of the sub‐Saharan region – Malawi.Design/methodology/approach – A management process tool with statement indicators linked to numerical scores was conceived that characterised a series of steps of project risk management process. To ascertain the degree to which project risk management processes were used, a questionnaire survey was employed. Data were elicited from registered Malawian construction contractors on the elements underlining a series of steps of project risk management process as espoused by the literature. Out of 84 sampled construction contractors, 51 completed questionnaires were received.Findings – Apart from large‐sized and more experienced const...

Measuring organisational learning through project reviews

Purpose – Some of the vital lessons that could have been learned from project reviews are lost by contractors because of lack of a structured framework for undertaking them. Even though the construction business environment has moved toward modernising some of its business processes, unnecessary loss of lessons still characterise the industry. This paper aims to report a study that explores the development of a structured tool for measuring the constructs of the project review process in order to ensure organisational learning.Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the significance of the project review process, a study was undertaken in Malawi. A questionnaire survey was employed to elicit data on the constructs of the project review process that was distributed to Malawian registered construction contractors. Of the 84 sampled construction contractors, 60 completed questionnaires were received.Findings – The results suggest that size and experience play a significant role in the way that constructio...

Construction process improvement through cognitive power under team generative learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report a study that explores the means through which cognitive power under team learning is exploited for generative learning in order to remain competitive in the challenging business environment and to examine the extent to which various types of teams are used for purposes of generative learning by construction contractors.Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the significance of cognitive power through various types of teams, a study was undertaken in Malawi, one of the countries in the Sub‐Saharan region. A questionnaire survey was employed to elicit data on the constructs of cognitive power from various types of business teams that were employed by construction contractors.Findings – Using cognitive power under team application as an analytical lens, the research shows that construction contractors displayed low cognitive, social and physical competences in the various types of teams as critical determinants for generative learning. Innovative behaviour...

Critical factors inhibiting performance of small - and medium-scale contractors in sub-Saharan region: a case for Malawi

The construction industry is dominated by small- and medium-scale contractors (SMCs) who face an emerging trend of unique challenges in the implementation of projects. The study was aimed at examining inhibiting factors that influence performance of SMCs in terms of “quality of work,” “tender estimation,” “tender preparation,” and “timely completion of construction projects” in Malawi. A survey questionnaire was administered to 370 players in the construction industry which included public sector clients, contractors, consultants, and construction resource trainers in order to elicit data from 118 variables that were identified through a careful literature review. The inhibiting factors were generally dominated by economic issues, which was an emerging trend to what has been previously reported in the sub-Saharan region. The first highest ranked inhibiting factors were high lending interest regimes offered by financial institutions; stringent conditions to access capital; fluctuation of currency; stringent requirements for obtaining bonds; and high taxes. The research lays the foundation for further understanding of inhibitors on performance of SMCs in an evolving world which is being impacted by global factors and punctuated by sudden changes.

Capacity building of construction industries in Sub‐Saharan developing countries

Purpose – The need for capacity building of construction industries in developing countries cannot be over‐emphasised in order to ensure quality of services and products as well as the application of innovative ways for delivering construction services. Accordingly, using systems institutional paradigm approach as a conceptual premise, this paper aims to make the case for a fundamental turnaround for construction developmental approach in developing countries, that identify levels which should be considered as instrumental for capacity building of the construction industry in the Sub‐Saharan region, for example Malawi.Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain a quad‐level framework which should be considered essential for capacity building of the construction industry, a questionnaire survey was employed. Data were elicited from prominent heads of sections from five stakeholders of the construction industry that operated in Malawi on the constructs for capacity building of a construction industry. Sixty ...

Predictive Modelling for Characterisation of Organics in Pit Latrine Sludge from Unplanned Settlements in Cities of Malawi

The limited availability of data on faecal sludge characteristics remains one of the major challenges faced by developing countries in proper management of faecal sludge. In view of the limited financial resources and expertise in these developing countries, there is a need to come up with less-resource-intensive approaches for faecal sludge characterisation. Despite being used substantially in wastewater, there is limited evidence on the use of predictive modelling as a tool for cost-effective characterisation of faecal sludge. In this study, first order multiple linear regression modelling is investigated as a less-resource-intensive approach for accurate prediction of organics (biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand) in pit latrine sludge. The predictor variables explored in the modelling include pH, electrical conductivity, total solids, total volatile solids, fixed solids and moisture content. The modelling uses data collected from 80 latrines in unplanned settlements of four cities in Malawi. The study shows that it is possible to reliably predict chemical oxygen demand and biochemical oxygen demand in pit latrine sludge using electrical conductivity and total solids, which require low levels of resources and expertise to determine.