19th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction - Lima, Peru - 2011

Clients’ Perceptions of Non-Value Adding Activities in South Africa

Fidelis Emuze1 & John Smallwood2

1PhD Candidate, Department of Construction Management, PO Box 77000 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa Tel: (041) 504 2399 Fax: (041) 504 2345
2Professor, and Head, Department of Construction Management, PO Box 77000 Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa Tel: (041) 504 2790 Fax: (041) 504 2345

Abstract

Based upon documented non-value adding activities (NVAAs) in the literature, the study was undertaken in order to investigate NVAAs that are significant in the South African context. According to the research problem statement, the recurrent poor performance recorded in South African construction may be due to the prevalence of NVAAs. Though the larger research embraced methodological pluralism, this particular paper reports on a quantitative survey conducted among South African public sector clients. The survey used NVAAs and their causes identified through the literature as the basis for the investigation. The research findings suggest that NVAAs do not only pervade South African construction, but also marginalise the realisation of optimal project performance in terms of cost, environment, health and safety (H&S), quality, and time. The implications are centred on the need to increase knowledge and awareness, and also reduce the frequency of occurrence of NVAAs in South Africa. Though only an aspect of the research is reported upon in this paper, the research equally entailed an empirical study conducted among consultants and contractors with a view of creating awareness throughout the entire industry. However, future multi-case study research involving the most cited NVAAs will complement the long-term objective of the study.

Keywords

Construction, Infrastructure, Non-value adding activities, Performance, South Africa

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Reference

Emuze, F. & Smallwood, J. 2011. Clients’ Perceptions of Non-Value Adding Activities in South Africa, 19th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/

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