AS 2015 Volume 22 Issue 2
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Browsing AS 2015 Volume 22 Issue 2 by Subject "Construction"
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Item Open Access The relevance of ethical conduct in creating a competitive advantage for entry-level emerging contractors(University of the Free State, 2015) Buys, Fanie; Van Schalkwyk, TanyaEnglish: Small emerging contracting companies could possibly be flooding the construction industry, putting strain on the construction economy to stay afloat, support and sustain these participants. It is important for any organisation that deals with other individuals and organisations to understand the correct ethical codes of conduct in a business environment. To minimise unethical behaviour in the industry, new contractors need to both understand and apply the principles of ethical conduct in their business environments. This research is aimed at investigating whether ethical conduct among new entry-level emerging contractors can contribute to, and ensure their sustainable competitiveness in the South African construction industry. This research is also aimed at determining whether education and knowledge of entrepreneurship, business, project and construction management, in addition to building contracts, can contribute to new entry-level emerging contractors’ ethical conduct and sustainable competitiveness. The literature reviewed and the results of quantitative research among professional consultants in South Africa formed the basis of the study. Ethics is a sensitive topic within the construction industry; therefore, it is difficult to gather the data directly from contractors, as they are reluctant to participate for fear of revealing their identities and having this negatively influence their personal and business credentials. Unbiased respondents, who were not directly linked to emerging contractors and who were not afraid to give their objective opinions, were questioned and included architects, quantity surveyors, consulting engineers, project managers, construction mentors, and construction managers. The study revealed that ethics is an important factor in any business environment and that the correct application thereof can partially contribute to the sustainable competitiveness of new entry-level emerging contractors. This, in turn, should promote the long-term survival of a business. Furthermore, the knowledge of good management practices and building contracts can contribute to a successfully run business. However, the average new entry-level emerging contractor has insufficient experience and knowledge of the management of construction projects and of building contracts. The study should be valuable to construction-industry professionals, contractors and clients, as it provides them with research information on a problem area in the industry.Item Open Access The status quo of green-building education in South Africa(University of the Free State, 2015) Jacobs, EstiEnglish: There is countrywide a lack of relevant and necessary professional and tertiary institutions offering education and training in green building in South Africa. This causes a lack of awareness, knowledge and skill in green-building principles, which directly results in a lack in the introduction and implementation thereof on projects in the property-development industry. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tertiary institutions have started to incorporate green-building programmes and/or modules in current curricula. A literature review on green-building education, not only at academic institutions, but also at property industry educators was done to develop a questionnaire for reflecting the status quo of green-building education programmes at built-environment departments of six South African universities. These departments included quantity surveying and construction management; architecture; quantity surveying, construction management, and urban planning. The intention of this article was not to investigate curriculum renewal/innovation, but merely to examine the status quo of green-building education currently offered by tertiary and professional institutions in South Africa. Based on the findings, green-building education at built-environment departments of academic institutions in South Africa is lagging behind, and progress seems to be slow. There are, however, signs indicating that positive changes are being made to introduce and implement green-building education.