Justus Agumba

Integrating blockchain technology into green building (GB) projects presents substantial opportunities to improve transparency, traceability, and collaboration in the construction sector. However, blockchain’s successful implementation into GB projects remains limited due to the lack of a clear understanding of the critical success factors (CSFs) that facilitate effective adoption. This study identified and classified the CSFs affecting blockchain’s implementation within the GB context using a quantitative approach. A systematic literature review (SLR) and expert consultations initially were performed to establish a preliminary list of 27 CSFs. A validated questionnaire survey subsequently was conducted among industry professionals and academic specialists in GB and digital technologies, resulting in 115 valid responses. Data were examined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the fundamental dimensions influencing the implementation of blockchain success. Emergent findings identified five critical factor groups, namely technology-related, organizational and strategic–related, government-related, stakeholder engagement–related, and environmental and GB alignment–related, which collectively explain 74.59% of the total variance. The reliability analysis validated internal consistency among all extracted factors. Practically, the results will support policymakers in designing regulatory and incentive mechanisms, assist organizations in developing strategic adoption plans, and help project stakeholders align blockchain initiatives with sustainability objectives, thereby accelerating digital transformation within the GB sector.

Despite employing only 7% of the workforce, construction accounts for approximately 20% of workplace fatalities globally, underscoring the critical importance of safety. While integrating health and safety (H&S) into procurement processes is essential for improving outcomes, regulatory frameworks in developing economies remain underexplored. This study employs a comparative leximetric analysis to examine the extent to which H&S requirements are embedded within construction legislation in Nigeria and South Africa. Using a qualitative leximetric approach, which employed a four-dimensional framework comprising legal scope and coverage, H&S requirements, procurement integration, and enforcement mechanisms, legal provisions were systematically coded using standardised criteria. The findings reveal substantial differences in formal regulatory design. South Africa demonstrates a more coherent and integrated legal framework, whereas Nigeria exhibits a fragmented structure with limited integration of H&S into procurement processes. These results highlight critical regulatory gaps, particularly in procurement-stage requirements and enforcement provisions. This has implications for practice and policy by demonstrating that integrating H&S requirements into procurement processes can strengthen regulatory coherence, improve accountability among project stakeholders, and support more effective safety governance in the construction industry. This study provides the first systematic leximetric analysis of H&S integration in construction procurement legislation within an African context.

This study investigates the readiness of facilities management organisations (FMOs) for adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM). Data was collected from a sample of 51 facilities management practitioners in South Africa, drawn from a target population of 209 registered professionals. The Technology Readiness Index (TRI) was applied to measure levels of optimism, innovativeness, discomfort, and insecurity towards BIM. Results show a medium readiness level (TRI score of 3.15), with high optimism and innovativeness offset by significant insecurity and discomfort barriers. Key external challenges include frequent power failures, limited owner interest, and prioritisation of initial capital costs. Based on these findings, an implementation framework is developed, consisting of a four-phase structured approach: awareness, pilot, scale, and institutionalisation. This approach is specifically designed to leverage the high Optimism and Innovativeness found while systematically mitigating the core barriers of Discomfort and Insecurity identified by the TRI assessment. The resulting implementation plan outlines strategies to overcome organisational barriers and strengthen contractual provisions for BIM integration. This research provides both an empirical diagnosis of BIM readiness and a structured roadmap for systematic adoption in the South African context. Keywords: Building Information Modelling, Facilities Management, Technology Readiness, Digital Transformation, South Africa.

The construction industries in South Africa and Nigeria face severe disruptions from non-state actors such as the South African construction mafias and Nigeria’s Omo Onile. These groups impede project progress and impose heavy economic costs through extortion and violence. This exploratory comparative study investigates their characteristics, operational methods, and impacts on construction projects and the wider industry. A qualitative research design was adopted, drawing on both primary and secondary data. In Lagos State, Nigeria, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 landowners and 19 government officials, using purposive and snowball sampling. Due to safety and access limitations, South African data were obtained through a systematic review and thematic analysis of 25 documents and 3 multimedia sources. Data were analysed thematically, using manual coding and ATLAS.ti software. Findings show that both groups derive social and political legitimacy and employ self-help tactics to extort and disrupt construction activities. Key traits include localised operations, political support networks, and claims of legitimate representation. Their actions cause injuries, fatalities, property damage, investor withdrawal, project delays, and inflated costs. Economically, this leads to cost overruns, shrinking profit margins, and weakening sector performance. While both countries have introduced laws and enforcement initiatives, effectiveness remains limited. The study concludes that holistic solutions, combining legal reform, stronger institutions, community engagement, economic inclusion, and improved governance are essential.

PURPOSE This study investigates the impact of Health and Safety (H&S) practices on worker productivity within South African construction Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), addressing a gap in empirical evidence. DESIGN / APPROACH / METHODOLOGY A quantitative approach was employed using data from 103 SMMEs engaged in construction projects in Gauteng. Structured questionnaires were used, and the data were analysed using mean scores and multiple linear regression. FINDINGS H&S practices were widely perceived as beneficial, contributing to improved worker protection, fewer client complaints, timely project completion, reduced absenteeism, and higher staff retention. A strong positive correlation (r ≈ 0.680, p < 0.01) and a significant predictive relationship were found, with H&S explaining 64.7% of productivity variance. Project H&S communication and supervision emerged as key predictors. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS The study is limited to SMMEs in Gauteng and may not reflect experiences in other regions or sectors. ORIGINAL / VALUE The findings support the integration of human-centric H&S practices as a driver of operational efficiency and workforce sustainability in construction SMMEs.

PURPOSE Incorporating Industry 5.0 contents into the construction curriculum of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will increase the preparedness of future graduates for Industrial 5.0 and provide graduates that are fit for the industry. It is however unclear the level of contents of industry 5.0 in the construction curriculums of HIEs in South Africa and those approved by their regulatory body. It is in this regard that the paper examines the level of Industry 5.0 contents in the construction curriculum of HEIs in South Africa and those recommended by their regulatory body. DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH Using a qualitative approach, this paper examines the curricula of 8 programmes offered by the 4 HEIs accredited by the South African Council for Project and Construction Management (SACPCM) and the SACPCM core knowledge requirements for educational programmes. Content analysis was used to analyse the data. FINDINGS The results of the content analysis of the institutions curricula showed that there was no explicit mention of specific Industry 5.0 technologies and concepts in the curriculum documents from tmost of the selected HEIs in South Africa. However, curriculum documents from the HEIs in South Africa show some elements related to sustainability, particularly in the context of sustainable rural development, housing, and urbanization. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The low level of Industry 5.0 contents in the construction curricula of HEIs in South Africa might affect student industry readiness. WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL / VALUE The paper is the first to examine the level of Industry 5.0 contents in the construction curriculum of HEIs in an South Africa context.

Purpose: This study proposes measures to overcome barriers hindering the adoption of innovative sustainable construction materials (ISCMs) in Nigeria, to strengthen local sustainable practices and support global goals, particularly SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 113 construction professionals in Lagos. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with varimax rotation) to identify barrier components, while analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey tests assessed differences across micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Findings: Three barrier components were identified: institutional and knowledge-based, capacity and regulatory and economic and resource. Lack of government support, limited training and poor awareness of ISCM benefits were most critical, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Economic barriers were less influential yet evident. Perceptions differed significantly across organisational categories, indicating that MSMEs experience and prioritise barriers differently. Practical implications: The results provide practical guidance for policymakers, industry associations, firms and suppliers. Revising building codes, strengthening enforcement, expanding capacity-building, fostering collaboration and promoting long-term value perspectives are essential to accelerate ISCM adoption in Nigeria. Originality/value: This study moves beyond cost-centred perspectives by demonstrating the pivotal role of regulatory, cultural and technical barriers in emerging markets. It offers a contextualised understanding of ISCM adoption in Nigeria, with insights applicable to similar developing economies, thereby advancing a more resilient and sustainable construction industry.

Purpose: Women in Construction (WiC) professionally registered with the engineering and built environment councils in South Africa work in a male-dominated industry. Many of these women end their construction careers in less than five years. This study aims to establish the core motivating factors contributing to sustainable careers for professional WiC, drawing on self-determination theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework. The study contributes to sustainable development goal (SDG) 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities by addressing barriers to gender diversity. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative study was conducted utilising a questionnaire survey distributed to professional WiC. The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) facilitated the distribution of the questionnaire. A total of 110 responses were received and analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis to interpret the research data and assess the dimensionality and reliability of the constructs. Findings: The study revealed that family support, job satisfaction and job promotion are the primary motivating factors for professional WiC to benefit from sustainable careers. These factors are consistent with the psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness as identified by SDT, forming the basis of the study’s theoretical framework. Originality/value: The study provides an understanding of motivating factors crucial for retaining professional WiC in South Africa’s construction industry. The study leverages SDT to offer strategies for fostering long-term career perseverance among professional WiC. This could inform policies and practices focused on promoting gender diversity, in line with SDG 10’s goal to reduce inequalities and support sustainability in different sectors.

Social infrastructure projects (SIPs) play a critical role in fostering social and economic development in the public sector. However, SIPs often face significant challenges, partly due to a lack of research on critical success factors (CSFs) specific to these projects. Despite the importance of SIPs, scant research focuses upon enhancing SIPs’ performance. Consequently, a CSF framework is developed for improving the delivery of SIPs in South Africa. Through a quantitative survey of 124 construction professionals, the study identified key factors essential for successful SIPs delivery. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, revealing a significant consensus among infrastructure stakeholders on CSFs needed for successful SIP delivery. Constituent elements of the framework integrate CSFs related to clients, contractors, projects and project management factors; external factors were excluded from the framework due to a lack of supporting evidence. The study offers a practical understanding for infrastructure stakeholders in South Africa to: overcome the challenges that hinder SIPs’ performance; and enhance the SIP delivery processes. Cumulatively, these palpable deliverables contribute to the nation’s social and economic development objectives. While the research is focused on South Africa, the CSFs framework could inform SIP delivery strategies in similar socio-economic and institutional contexts globally. The study reveals that SIP success depends on the identified factors and offers a structured framework for improving project outcomes. The framework highlights CSFs, including effective monitoring and timely decision-making for clients; subcontractor coordination and quality assurance for contractors; economic stability and advanced technology for projects; and team collaboration and expertise utilisation for project management. This systematic approach could enhance effective planning, execution and evaluation of SIPs, leading to more efficient delivery. However, the study’s focus on the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces limits the generalisability of the findings to other regions with different socio-economic and environmental conditions. Therefore, future research could explore the applicability of this framework in diverse social, political, and geographical contexts.

Purpose: The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for people of all ages underscores the vital role of public healthcare facilities (PHFs) in delivering essential healthcare services. However, these facilities often suffer from inadequate maintenance, exacerbated by the insufficient implementation of maintenance strategies. Recognizing the importance of PHFs in enhancing healthcare services, this paper investigates the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in the maintenance strategies of PHFs in South Africa.Design/methodology/approach: Through semi-structured interviews with nineteen purposively selected maintenance personnel from the Limpopo Department of Health (DoH), this study identified and analyzed the CSFs to enhance maintenance operations in PHFs. Thematic content analysis was employed to derive key insights from the collected data.Findings: The study's findings highlight adequate maintenance planning and effective leadership as the two overarching CSFs in the maintenance of PHFs. These factors play a pivotal role in addressing challenges that hinder the current maintenance team from meeting maintenance requirements to the satisfaction of both staff and patients within PHFs.Originality/value: The study offers valuable insights for policymakers to improve the effectiveness of maintenance operations in PHFs. By addressing the identified CSFs, policymakers can enhance maintenance operations in PHFs, positively impacting healthcare service delivery and the well-being of both staff and patients.