David S Root

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor at University of the Witwatersrand

Financial feasibility studies in real estate development are problematic and complex and some of the success thereof relies on the communication and perspectives of at least two key stakeholders. The aim of this research is to determine the roles of financial feasibility studies based on two opposing perspectives – real estate developers and quanti...

Purpose We explore the design risk factors and associated managerial practices driving collaborative risk management for design efficacy in green building projects. By illuminating project design risk as an important project risk category in its own right, the study contributes to our understanding of optimising design efficacies for collaborative...

Introduced in 2019, South Africa's carbon tax imposes escalating financial penalties on companies exceeding emissions limits, reaching up to six billion rand annually. This study examines the perceived competencies of Construction Project Managers (CPMs) in green retrofitting against standards set by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) and...

Contemporary construction project management faces a significant challenge: the existing academic literature, spanning various disciplines, remains underutilised due to a lack of systematic integration for transdisciplinary collaboration. The primary purpose of this study is to forecast connected disciplinary thought through a novel bibliometric mo...

This presentation addresses the literature review from the study in identifying the critical role of venture capital and development finance in fostering sustainable development in South Africa, with a particular focus on youth unemployment. The study recognises the importance of balancing economic growth and sustainability, particularly in the con...

Proceedings of the SACQSP International Research Conference 2023. Digitalisation of the Quantity Surveying Practice: Towards a Sustainable Profession. Edited by: Prof Clinton Aigbavboa –University of Johannesburg. The "2023 SACQSP International Research Conference Proceedings" revolves around the theme "Digitalisation of the Quantity Surveying Pra...

The quantity surveying profession is facing irrevocable and fundamental change arising from technological innovation and the automation of professional work. Referred to as the 4th industrial revolution, this change is both radical and transformational for the profession. This study seeks to understand this change so as to provide models of the fut...

The study appraises the features in the South African construction projects supply chain that are amenable to blockchain technology. An integrative review of purposively sampled extant literature from multidisciplinary databases: Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Sage, Taylor and Francis, and Emerald Insight were adopted. Descriptors for lite...

Current socio-technical changes in society are compelling the professions to rethink their future. After surviving three industrial revolutions, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and other societal changes are challenging the position of the quantity surveying (QS) profession in society. This study aims to investigate why the QS profession mig...

Claims in the construction sector result from, but not limited to, poor contract performance, delays, conflicts and force majeure. The use of Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques are proposed in construction-related decision-making and prove advantageous in ensuring that claims management processes are effective. This paper provides an...

The construction industry is increasingly embracing long-term collaborative relationships for project delivery. Since it is not all contractors that are suitable for collaboration and long-term relationships, and most clients are familiar with traditional practices of selecting contractors, there is need for an understanding on the critical attribu...

Professions in society are being affected by the impact of current social-technical changes. Tasks that were previously the purview of certain professions are made redundant by technological achievement. Within the built environment, there are claims that the quantity surveying profession might not exist in the future because of the potential autom...

Construction projects are often described as complex, integrated systems that create high levels of risks requiring complex decision-making processes involving many stakeholders to manage, particularly in the design phases. While collaboration is critical for detailed understanding of design processes, it is often very difficult in practice, since,...

Green building projects are ambitious in terms of the complexity of structures, design requirements, information flows, stakeholder integration and technological integration. As a consequence, management of these projects is becoming increasingly integrated. However, risk management (RM) has taken little account of these emergent interconnected sta...

Projects supply chain is overwhelmed with unethical practices. Managing construction projects supply chain, which is traditionally void of transparency, has led to issues of corruption, vested interest, clientelism, ghosting, bid rigging and poor professional ethical standards. The centralized nature of data management in the construction industry...

The purpose of this study is to identify and model actants that influence the successful compilation and usage of economic feasibility studies. This study investigates the elements in the feasibility process and the expectations thereof, from the perspectives of property developers. These feasibilities were found to be inconsistent in content, negl...

There is increasing adoption of framework contracts (FC) for construction project delivery in South Africa, but it is not yet clear what the performance of the approach is in accomplishing client's expected outcomes of projects being delivered on time, within budget and to required quality and satisfaction. In this study, the performance of FC and...

Critics of claims about building information modeling’s (BIM’s) capability to revolutionize construction industry practices describe it as overhyped, fallacious and therefore suggest that there is need for a more critical examination of its change impacts. Others have posited that the changes BIM induces are evolutionary rather than revolutionary....

Purpose: This research seeks to demonstrate that the high specialist knowledge tacitness in major partners in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in South Africa, can be harnessed to impart skills to Previously Disadvantaged Institutions (PDIs) and enhance their gainful involvement in projects. The research demonstrates that the pervasive practice o...

The South African Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy because of practical exigencies depends on the previously privileged white-owned companies, which normally lead the consortia for its implementation. This kind of arrangement requires the government to adopt a management disposition consistent with the principal agent (PA) theory. The PA the...

The construction industry is becoming increasingly complex, including the aspects that deal with communication. Subsequently, financial reports generated during the project delivery process are also becoming more complex and thus harder to comprehend. The purpose of this study to explore financial communication in quantity surveying practice, with...

The construction industry is hazardous and dirty. Automation and robotics in construction (ARC) were introduced to execute tasks that are difficult for humans and to reduce the number of incidents on construction sites. This study discusses the advantages and the disadvantages of the use of ARC in the South African construction industry. A narrativ...

This research looked at the barriers Higher Education Institutions face in changing their procurement practices. Since the South African Construction Industry tends to be laggard in terms of any change, the research assumed that barriers to procurement change would be linked to the barriers faced in the adoption of I4.0. These barriers would help d...

There is increasing adoption of framework contracts (FC) for construction project delivery in South Africa, but it is not yet clear what the performance of the approach is in accomplishing client's expected outcomes of projects being delivered on time, within budget and to required quality and satisfaction. In this study, the performance of FC and...

Since the First Industrial Revolution, societies have entrusted their lives and wellbeing to professional organizations; social institutions that exercise control over the use of specific bodies of knowledge. These institutions are granted privileges based on the benefit to society this knowledge brings. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)contes...

Recent critiques of the BIM literature describe it as largely devoid of critical theoretical perspectives and theorization capable of explaining the nature of change in work practices in a holistic manner. In response, the authors argue that, from a theoretical standpoint, implementing BIM within professional work practices (as activity systems) in...

DOI: 10.5176/2301-394X_ACE17.131 Authors: Matshidze, Lindelani and Root, David Abstract: This paper evaluates the effectiveness of a risk allocation and sharing mechanism within South Africa’s Public Private Partnership (PPPs) framework. South Africa like most medium income countries is faced with an increase social expenditure, which widening bud...

In response to the demands of implementing BIM, new roles and job titles have emerged. However, the authors argue that these roles fundamentally fall within the scope of the traditional functions of existing core professional service providers, although being carried out through different means and methods. This study examines the circumstances tha...

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is currently being adopted around the world with numerous countries mandating its implementation on public projects through legislation. This process has driven the development of BIM standards and specifications to streamline design data prior to collaboration to meet regulatory requirements. Although BIM techn...

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is currently being adopted around the world with numerous countries mandating its implementation on public projects through legislation. This process has driven the development of BIM standards and specifications to streamline design data prior to collaboration to meet regulatory requirements. Although BIM techn...

Construction projects are complex undertakings. They are characterised by multiple and diverse natured components, processes, and people; hence a high dependence on information, and often leading to inefficiencies in the project delivery process. The level of management of these complexities therefore greatly impinges on the performance of projects...

This article presents the results of a study into the current diversification strategies of large South African contractors and the reasons for choosing southern Africa as a diversification strategy. It investigated the major risks involved in doing business in southern Africa, which of the southern African countries are more favourable to diversif...

Informal social networks among the construction craft workers from various ethnic groups can give rise to barriers of entry for craftsmen and trainees. This study investigated informal social networks on three construction sites in an ethnically diverse area, to explore how these give rise to economic exclusion and promote inequality of access to s...

South Africa's construction industry is transforming. Its economy requires a wider base of contracting entities. Much of this growth is expected to be delivered by ‘emerging’ contractors. Yet these companies face significant obstacles. Targeted interventions that foster companies need a better picture of these firms and their core members. A survey...

South Africa is faced with numerous challenges in terms of community development such as economic growth, quality education, etc. Reduction of unemployment through job creation and improving access to job opportunities can arguably improve the lives of people. The construction industry through its activities (building hospitals, houses, schools, of...

Purpose – The South African construction industry is undergoing transformation. Part of this metamorphosis is the explosion in the number of “emerging contractors”. However, emerging contractors have a tendency to fail to develop into sustainable enterprises due to inadequate construction knowledge and lack of experience. These shortfalls can be po...

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in South Africa are intended to provide a synergistic complimentarity notably in the delivery of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This scenario is necessitated by the racial economic disparities bequeathed by the exclusionary policies of Apartheid. The government essentially "hands over" the implementation of emp...

Knowledge is key to the economic survival of any organization. For small emerging companies to achieve stability in their development knowledge is crucial and has to be acquired. Using an organizational learning approach a series of cases studies of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and their interactions with large established companies were con...

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in South Africa are intended to provide a synergistic complimentarity notably in the delivery of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This scenario is necessitated by the racial economic disparities bequeathed by exclusionary policies of Apartheid. The government essentially "hands over" the empowerment implementatio...

As part of its BEE endeavour the South African government has identified PPPs as a vehicle to efficiently transfer skills to emerging Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) managers. The ex post distortional phenomenon of moral hazard abound in many contracts, it is however here demonstrated that the adoption of a self-monitoring contract in a...

Purpose: This research seeks to demonstrate that the high specialist knowledge tacitness in major partners in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), can be harnessed to impart skills to Previously Disadvantaged Institutions (PDIs) and enhance their gainful involvement in projects. The research demonstrates that the pervasive practice of outsourcing on...

Amidst increasingly constrained public budgets and inadequate service delivery, private sector participa- tion through public private partnerships is increas- ingly being used as a means for delivering physical infrastructure. The government of Uganda, which is currently grappling with a crippling electricity power deficit, has over the years, purs...

Creation of knowledge and the management thereof is of great importance if industry players are to survive in competitive environments. The Socialisation-Externalisation-Combination-Internalisation (SECI) model of Nonaka is one theoretical model of how tacit and explicit knowledge is processed within organisations. Research on knowledge creation in...

Many countries that were part of the British Empire adopted or were obliged to introduce construction training systems similar to those practiced in Britain to meet the requirements of the colonial authorities and the economies that were being developed using 'Western' technologies. After independence many of these nations continued using these Bri...

Since the promulgation of the generic Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation in South Africa, opportunism is known to abound. It is here demonstrated firstly, that pre-and post-contractual opportunism, which comes in the form of "adverse selection" and "moral hazard", seems to be highly mitigated in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Secondl...

Chapman's Peak Drive is a scenic coastal road in the Western Cape province of South Africa with a history of reoccurring rockfall incidents. This paper presents qualitative case study research that explores the competitive award of a concession to design, build, finance, and operate an upgrade of the road for a period of 30 years. The analysis focu...

Urban low cost housing markets in developing countries are often inefficient and subsidized programmes can add further market distortions. In the case of South Africa, one of the important causes of the inefficiency of the housing market (and one that is often ignored) is the fact that housing policies and construction practices systematically excl...

Addressing the legacy of Apartheid, South Africa is currently in a stage of economic transformation. Previously disadvantaged individuals (PDIs) are now seeking opportunities in the 'first economy'. However, and particularly prominent in the construction sector, these young companies often fail to develop into meaningful business entities. This is...

Informal skill training is common in many construction sectors of developing countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, India, Mexico and Brazil. It is an ad hoc and unsystematic method of learning-on-the-job which is received within the context of day to day production activities. Informal skilling mainly involves learning via observin...

The skills required of construction craftsmen are determined by factors related to their work environment such as the prevailing technology, materials and methods of work, and their employment relationships. As these factors change over time, it follows that the skill sets of the craftsmen will also change. An argument put forward by several writer...

South Africa, like many developing countries is adopting PPPs as an alternative procurement method to finance and deliver desperately needed built infrastructure. In response to the legacy of apartheid, the South African government is actively harnessing every public procurement opportunity to deliver, not just infrastructure, but also secondary so...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe an approach to managing the supply chain from the perspective of design which the paper refers to as integrated collaborative design (ICD). Design/methodology/approach Building on a substantial program of research using a range of methodologies previously reported, the concept of a design chain is d...

HIV/AIDS is a pandemic with serious implications for South Africa in general, and the South African construction industry in particular. It is the single largest cause of death in South Africa. Against a backdrop of an acute shortage of housing and infrastructure provision, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among construction workers is impacting negative...

The choice of appropriate methods of data collection is crucial for empirical research. This choice often appears to be influenced by the previous experiences and traditions of a researcher and his/her environment. Furthermore, critical and reflective reporting on the application of data collection methods in context specific literature is far and...

Sustainability assessment methods for building projects have a major role to play in introducing sustainability values and principles into mainstream construction practice. The paper reflects on potential measures that should advance building assessment practice in fostering sustainable construction and it advocates a redefinition of the objectives...

The PMO is seen as an organisational entity entrusted to instil Project Management (PM) practices and culture within an organisation and is portrayed as the focal point of PM practices and the locus where an organisation’s knowledge management and PM practices intersect. Companies within a range of economic sectors are accommodating this entity in...

Purpose To illustrate the use of a Value Adding Toolbox by construction industry designers when addressing customer value expectations using problem solving. Design/methodology/approach Focused literature review establishes the need for construction industry design solutions to deliver customer value and a Value Adding Toolbox is proposed in respo...

Research reported in this paper advocates the need for a more widespread use of building assessment methods in building practice to enhance the quality of building design, construction and management, and to stimulate broader stakeholder participation. Lessons learnt from Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Process Protocol (PP) informed the deve...

Building assessment tools are used as a means to assess and encourage the adoption of sustainability-led thinking and practice in the delivery of buildings. However, the established tools focus primarily on the aspects of green or sustainable building (i.e. building as an end-product), rarely exploring the contributions towards sustainable product...

The East Midlands construction industry is currently suffering from a severe skills shortage across its craft, professional and managerial occupations. The lack of available capacity within the regional labour market coupled with the poor image of the sector, call into question the industry's ability to cope with the levels of new orders and output...

Econometric forecasts indicate that the UK construction industry faces a severe skills deficit in the foreseeable future. This paper details the results of a major labour market research projects, which canvassed the opinions of over 50 industry stakeholders within the East Midlands region of the UK. Focus groups were used to elicit the collective...

The importance of the effect of national and ethnic cultures and sultural differences on international projects has been apparent for many years and managing projects nowadays demands a sensitivity to the values and priorities developed by different national cultures and occupational grouping. Hence, this study originated from the premise that the...

Since the promulgation of the generic Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation in South Africa, opportunism is known to abound. It is here demonstrated firstly, that pre- and post-contractual opportunism, which comes in the form of "adverse selection" and "moral hazard", seems to be highly mitigated in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). Second...

The desire to bring design and construction activities closer together is well established and has been generally welcomed by the industry through the adoption of concepts such as 'buildability' and the attempts to foster long term relationships between organizations up and down the 'supply' chain. This paper argues that the historical and traditio...

Meeting the strategic objectives of construction clients is paramount in construction procurement for the project to be regarded as successful by the client. The contention of this paper is that the choice of contractual arrangement can act as a barrier to achieving these objectives. This paper explores how contractual arrangement can be a delimita...

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Bath, 2001.

This is restricted access. This article was published in the journal, Journal of construction procurement [© International Procurement Research Group]. The continued fragmentation of the construction sector has led to a demand from clients for greater integration of the companies engaged in the construction process. Supply chain Management (SCM) wh...