A 21st Century Employability Skills Improvement Framework for the Construction Industry

A 21st Century Employability Skills Improvement Framework for the Construction Industry
Author: John Aliu
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 275
Release: 2021-04-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 100036898X

This book will provide readers with an understanding of the employability concept and develop an employability skills improvement model to enhance the employability of built environment graduates to foster economic development. The developed model determines the influence of generic skills, discipline specific skills, work-integrated learning, emotional intelligence, university-industry collaboration outcomes and 4IR knowledge in predicting the outcomes of improved graduate employability. The model is developed with a theoretical lens on existing frameworks of employability and skills development. Whilst drawing comparisons with countries such as the UK, USA, Australia and Canada, the authors present the results of a two-stage Delphi survey in South Africa as a case study on the current state of skills development and on the skills of the future. The case study is presented in line with the South Africa’s long-term National Development Plan (NDP) aimed at developing the key capabilities and skills of its citizens by ensuring quality education on a broader scale by 2030. As automation continues to rapidly advance, the pressures on universities to revamp and restructure their curricula have become increasingly necessary. This book recommends that higher education institutions urgently need to intensify their efforts by introducing significant modifications to the science and technology curriculum to enable students to develop and acquire competencies in the rapidly emerging areas of artificial intelligence, data science, robotics, advanced simulation, data communication, system automation, real-time inventory operations, cloud computing, and information technologies. This implies that universities’ curriculum should be infused with 4IR thinking within the conventional primary sciences of biology, chemistry, and physics, with greater emphasis on digital literacy to boost 4IR understanding amongst the graduates. The book is therefore of interest to researchers and policy makers in the built environment that are placed in academia, the construction industry or at consultancy levels, it provides significant recommendations for universities as they intensify their efforts to develop graduates for the future.

Smart and Sustainable Technology for Resilient Cities and Communities

Smart and Sustainable Technology for Resilient Cities and Communities
Author: Robert J. Howlett
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2022-02-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9811691010

This book is a collection of extended versions of papers presented at the KES Covid-19 Challenge international summit. The book focusses on technological, economic, and social developments to combat the effects of global and local disasters as well as the ways in which the recovery from Covid can be used to build more resilient and sustainable communities, industry, and improve the environment. It also discusses the global challenges of human-influenced climate change. There are chapters on making cities and communities more resilient through energy self-sufficiency, food production, resilient housing and buildings, human health and intelligent systems e.g. for forecasting and prediction.

A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South

A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South
Author: Sampa Chisumbe
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 167
Release: 2024-03-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 183797036X

A Neoliberal Framework for Urban Housing Development in the Global South highlights the factors which predict urban housing development from developing countries’ perspective, providing a guide for countries in the sub-Sahara.

Construction Workforce Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era

Construction Workforce Management in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era
Author: Lerato Aghimien
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2024-02-12
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1837970181

Through a critical review of existing related theories and models, the authors address gaps in existing workforce management studies and propose a conceptual model to improve the management of workers in the construction industry.

Introducing Multidisciplinary Micro-credentialing

Introducing Multidisciplinary Micro-credentialing
Author: Chamila Subasinghe
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 157
Release: 2023-11-10
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1803824611

Introducing Multidisciplinary Micro-credentialing establishes a HE-industry framework to augment a re-skilling and upskilling process where courses could generate adaptable multidisciplinary links and intersections toward self-sufficiency.

A Maintenance Management Framework for Municipal Buildings in Developing Economies

A Maintenance Management Framework for Municipal Buildings in Developing Economies
Author: Babatunde Fatai Ogunbayo
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 373
Release: 2023-02-03
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1000834808

The central aim of this book is to investigate and develop frameworks to aid effective maintenance management of municipal buildings in the education sector of developing economies. Using the South African education sector as a case study, this book provides readers with two major practical insights. Firstly, it focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of maintenance management research and introduces a maintenance management model through the development of a conceptual framework. This framework aids in explaining the factors underpinning the maintenance of municipal buildings but can also be used in the assessment and management of other public buildings. Secondly, the book highlights and addresses theoretical gaps in existing studies essential for the maintenance management of buildings in developing economies, providing a stimulus for future research. The book will be of interest to researchers in construction management, building technology, estate management, civil engineering, architecture, and urban and regional planning. It is an essential manual for policymakers in the education sector, built environment, construction industry, facility maintenance, facility management and consultants at government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) charged with maintenance management of public infrastructures and assets.

Sustainable Construction in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Sustainable Construction in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Author: Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2021-09-05
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1000435040

This book provides readers with an understanding of various concepts, benefits, and practices that the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technolo>gies can bring when working towards sustainable construction goals. As digitalization continues to advance rapidly, the pressures on stakeholders in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AECO) industry to revamp and restructure their activities and outputs become increasingly prev>alent. This research book explains the importance of various digital tools and principles to achieve sustainable construction projects. It adopts various stand>ards and concepts to highlight how 4IR technologies could assist and accelerate construction sustainability. It is the first book to link construction management with various digital tools to enhance construction projects’ sustainability. It also provides an in-depth insight into the concept of sustainable construction 4.0 across both developing and developed countries for construction professionals, sustainability experts, researchers, educators, and other stakeholders.The book can be adopted as a research guide, framework, and reference on sustainable construction, the concept of sustainable projects, digitalization in the construction industry, and the 4IR.

Construction Digitalisation

Construction Digitalisation
Author: Douglas Aghimien
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 181
Release: 2021-07-25
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000415953

This book explores construction digitalisation, particularly in developing countries. The book conceptualises a digitalisation capability maturity model that will enable construction organisations to self-assess and benchmark their digital capabilities in their quest for digital transformation. Digitalisation offers a significant solution to the age-long problems of the construction industry. Research shows that when construction organisations transform from a traditional service delivery approach to a more digitalised approach, significant improvement in project delivery and better competitive advantage for these organisations will be attained. The attainment of these benefits is evident in developed countries where the digitalisation of construction activities continues apace. Unfortunately, the story is not the same for construction organisations in developing economies. While some organisations might be willing to be digitally transformed, most have no clue how to go about it. To this end, this book provides guidelines for construction organisations seeking to transform their entities digitally. Its content is a valuable read for construction company owners as it provides a model which they can use in the digitalisation of their activities. Also, regulatory bodies in the construction industry can adopt the capabilities identified in the book as essential prerequisites for their members. Furthermore, the book serves as excellent theoretical background reading for management researchers seeking to expand their knowledge on the digitalisation of the construction industry and other associated industries.

Measuring Productivity of Labour-Intensive Work Practices in Road Construction in Africa

Measuring Productivity of Labour-Intensive Work Practices in Road Construction in Africa
Author: Emmanuel Bamfo-Agyei
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 123
Release: 2022-07-15
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000619184

This book examines an issue of constant concern in the construction industry, that of productivity. Using data from Ghana and South Africa, it presents research into the productivity of local contractors in these countries whilst examining the predominance of labour-intensive production methods. The book begins by considering the theoretical and conceptual perspectives on labour productivity in the construction industry in the existing literature, before reviewing current productivity measurement frameworks. The book then explores the productivity of labour-intensive public works projects in South Africa and Ghana alongside a general discussion of key factors affecting construction productivity in these countries. Whilst the focus is on road construction, the framework developed can be applied to any number of construction projects to measure, and ultimately improve productivity. This book is useful reading for researchers and practitioners looking to understand the factors influencing labour productivity in construction at both the industry and the project level, including construction managers, quantity surveyors, cost engineers and project managers.

A Roadmap for the Uptake of Cyber-Physical Systems for Facilities Management

A Roadmap for the Uptake of Cyber-Physical Systems for Facilities Management
Author: Matthew Ikuabe
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 138
Release: 2023-06-22
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000899705

This is the first book to conceptualise and develop a roadmap for the adoption of cyber-physical systems (CPS) for facilities management (FM) in developing countries. It is argued that effective use of CPS can help to significantly improve issues such as extended processing time, poor data acquisition, ineffective coverage of facility maintenance history, and poor-quality control within the facilities management sector. Through a theoretical review of relevant technology adoption models and frameworks, A Roadmap for the Uptake of Cyber-Physical Systems for Facilities Management provides a clear insight into the required parameters for integrating CPS into facilities management. The book will be beneficial to relevant stakeholders who face the responsibility of facilities and construction management as it contributes to the growing demand for the adoption of digital technologies in the delivery and management of built infrastructure. Furthermore, it serves as a solid theoretical base for researchers and academics in the quest to expand the existing borderline on construction digitalisation, especially in the post-occupancy stage.