Assignment

My name: Abdullahi Mohamed ID:130

Given below a case study research Problem Statement for a certain country in
Africa, study It carefully and answer the questions below:
Case 1:
In developing countries, building construction projects are still run using labour
intensive methods (Alinaitwe et al., 2013; Alaghbari et al., 2019). Low
productivity is one of the most and severe challenges faced by the building
construction contractors (Alaghbari et al., 2019; Ahmad et al., 2020). This
partially explains the reason behind the big number of over 4 percent of
uncompleted and abandoned buildings, poor quality work, cost and time overruns as a
result of low labour productivity.
In addition, the cost of labour in building construction industry is estimated to
be about 30 percent to 50 percent of the entire project cost (Gundecha, 2012;
Robles et al., 2014), yet little or no attention has been paid to the impact of
management skills on labour productivity in building construction projects. The
persistence of low labour productivity has become a significant concern to the
construction contractors Alinaitwe et al., 2013; Aino, 2013; Alaghbari et al.,
2019). This may indicate that, there are still weaknesses in the construction
management skills of First Line Managers during the execution of construction
projects. If this is not addressed, there is a likelihood of continued low labour
productivity, which translates into financial losses, contractual disputes and time
overrun to both clients and contractors.
A number of studies have been conducted on the factors affecting productivity on
building construction projects, Asaya (2018) studied on assessment of equipment
productivity in building construction projects, similarly Aino (2013) researched on
the impact of effective communication on labour productivity in civil engineering
projects, in addition Alinaitwe et al. (2007) assessed the factors affecting the
productivity of building craftsmen-studies but they did not tackle the issue of the
impact of management skills on labour productivity in the building construction
industry. This study therefore, sought to examine the impact of construction
management skills on labour productivity in building construction projects.
From the above, State the following;
a) Possible Title or Topic of the study
b) Statement of social need
c) Statement of Knowledge gap
d) Statement of the main objective of the study
e) At least four (4) Specific objectives of the study
f) At least four (4) research Questions of the study
g) The Hypotheses of the study

Case 2
Massive investment in infrastructure development has necessitated the need for
compulsory land acquisition which as provided for by the Constitution amongst other
laws emphasizes a prompt, fair and adequate compensation to the project affected
persons prior to commencement of construction projects.
However, much as there has been attempts in various land acquisition laws and
practice in various countries to compensate affected persons for their loss, their
dissatisfaction has persisted (Rao et. al., 2018) making it very challenging for
the government to fulfill its mandate while requiring land with compulsory land
acquisition synonymously looked at as a “legal” grabbing of land (Pedlowski, 2013).
Consequently, estimated completion dates in the contracts have been extended which
lead to more costs incurred in terms of contractual claims for example the
completion of the Express high Way was deferred to May, 2018 from the initially
scheduled target of 2017 with about $35 Million lost due to contract claims and the
upgrade of some roads which commenced on 9th September 2014 with original
completion scheduled for 12th September 2017 was later revised to 12th September
2019, with contract time elapsed at 98.3% and land acquisition delays cited as a
major cause (National Roads Authority, 2019). Therefore, the purpose of this study
was to assess the various challenges and effects of land acquisition delays and
develop feasible strategies that can facilitate a faster land acquisition for road
construction projects.
From the above, State the following;
a) Possible Title or Topic of the study
b) Statement of social need
c) Statement of Knowledge gap
d) Statement of the main objective of the study
e) At least four (4) Specific objectives of the study
f) At least four (4) research Questions of the study
g) The Hypotheses of the study

Answers

Case 1

a) Possible Title or Topic of the study: "Enhancing Labour Productivity in Building

Construction Projects: The Role of Construction Management Skills in Developing
Countries"

b) Statement of social need: The building construction industry in developing

countries faces challenges related to low labour productivity, resulting in
uncompleted and abandoned buildings, poor quality work, and cost and time overruns.
Addressing the issue of low productivity is crucial to improve construction
outcomes, minimize financial losses, and ensure the successful delivery of
projects.

c) Statement of knowledge gap: While previous studies have examined factors

affecting productivity in building construction projects, such as equipment
productivity and effective communication, there is a lack of research focusing
specifically on the impact of construction management skills on labour productivity
in the building construction industry. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap
and provide insights into the importance of management skills in enhancing
productivity.

d) Statement of the main objective of the study: The main objective of the study is
to investigate the relationship between construction management skills and labour
productivity in building construction projects in developing countries.

e) Specific objectives of the study:

1. To evaluate the current level of construction management skills among First Line
Managers in building construction projects.
2. To assess the extent of labour productivity and its associated challenges in the
building construction industry.
3. To analyze the impact of construction management skills on labour productivity
in building construction projects.
4. To propose recommendations and strategies for improving construction management
skills to enhance labour productivity and project outcomes.

f) Research questions:
1. What is the level of construction management skills among First Line Managers in
building construction projects?
2. What are the factors contributing to low labour productivity in the building
construction industry?
3. How does the level of construction management skills impact labour productivity
in building construction projects?
4. What measures can be taken to improve construction management skills and enhance
labour productivity in the building construction industry?

g) The Hypotheses of the study:

1. H0: There is no significant relationship between construction management skills
and labour productivity in building construction projects.
H1: There is a significant relationship between construction management skills
and labour productivity in building construction projects.

2. H0: The level of construction management skills among First Line Managers is not
associated with labour productivity in building construction projects.
H1: The level of construction management skills among First Line Managers is
associated with labour productivity in building construction projects.

Case 2

a) Possible Title or Topic of the study: "Challenges and Effects of Land

Acquisition Delays in Road Construction Projects: Strategies for Facilitating
Faster Land Acquisition"

b) Statement of social need: The massive investment in infrastructure development,

particularly road construction projects, requires compulsory land acquisition.
However, the dissatisfaction and challenges faced by project-affected persons in
the compensation process have hindered the prompt and fair acquisition of land.
This study aims to address these challenges and develop strategies to expedite the
land acquisition process, benefiting both the government and the affected
individuals.

c) Statement of knowledge gap: Although there have been attempts to compensate

project-affected persons for their loss in various land acquisition laws and
practices, dissatisfaction persists. There is a lack of research exploring the
specific challenges and effects of land acquisition delays in road construction
projects and proposing feasible strategies to expedite the process. This study
seeks to fill this knowledge gap.

d) Statement of the main objective of the study: The main objective of the study is
to assess the challenges and effects of land acquisition delays in road
construction projects and develop feasible strategies that can facilitate faster
land acquisition.

e) Specific objectives of the study:

1. To identify and analyze the key challenges faced in the land acquisition process
for road construction projects.
2. To examine the effects of land acquisition delays on road construction projects,
including cost overruns, contractual claims, and extended completion dates.
3. To explore the perspectives and experiences of project-affected persons
regarding the land acquisition process and their compensation.
4. To propose strategies and recommendations for facilitating faster land
acquisition in road construction projects, addressing the identified challenges and
minimizing the adverse effects.

f) Research questions:
1. What are the key challenges encountered in the land acquisition process for road
construction projects?
2. What are the effects of land acquisition delays on road construction projects,
in terms of cost overruns, contractual claims, and extended completion dates?
3. What are the perspectives and experiences of project-affected persons regarding
the land acquisition process and their compensation?
4. What strategies can be proposed to facilitate faster land acquisition in road
construction projects, considering the identified challenges and minimizing adverse
effects?

g) The hypotheses of the study:

1. H0: There is no significant relationship between land acquisition delays and
cost overruns in road construction projects.
H1: There is a significant relationship between land acquisition delays and cost
overruns in road construction projects.

2. H0: Project-affected persons' dissatisfaction with the land acquisition process

has no impact on the completion dates of road construction projects.
H1: Project-affected persons' dissatisfaction with the land acquisition process
significantly impacts the completion dates of road construction projects.

3. H0: There is no correlation between land acquisition delays and the occurrence
of contractual claims in road construction projects.
H1: There is a correlation between land acquisition delays and the occurrence of
contractual claims in road construction projects.

4. H0: Implementing feasible strategies for faster land acquisition has no

significant effect on the overall timeline of road construction projects.
H1: Implementing feasible strategies for faster land acquisition significantly
reduces the overall timeline of road construction projects.