An analysis of the state of innovation in the South Africa construction industry

dc.contributor.advisorDu Plessis, Chrisna
dc.contributor.emailhardusmulder@gmail.comen_US
dc.contributor.postgraduateMulder, Hardus
dc.date.accessioned2014-07-30T07:41:04Z
dc.date.available2014-07-30T07:41:04Z
dc.date.created2014-04-24
dc.date.issued2014en_US
dc.descriptionDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014.en_US
dc.description.abstractThis research was prompted by the apparent lack of innovation in the South African construction industry. The aim was to obtain a better understanding of the state of innovation. The strategy involved engaging construction contractors in the mining industry to obtain information regarding their view of innovation in the construction industry. Data was collected following a mixed-method strategy. A literature review, interviews, a focus group and questionnaires formed part of the data-gathering strategy. A number of findings emerged from the study, notably that innovation is important for a contractor to facilitate differentiation, and to be more competitive. The industry has high levels of competition and low entry barriers. Relationships are complex, with clients demanding complex structures to operate at low cost and within tight schedules. Levels of investment in research and development (R&D) are generally low. There are not enough experienced and trained role-players, and the level of trust between role-players needs to be strengthened. Cooperation between industry and academics, and investment in R&D is insufficient. Government focuses too much on the empowerment of previously disadvantaged individuals, ignoring the innovation history and experience of potential contractors, which means that contractors are not motivated to be innovative. As a legislator, government is viewed as hampering innovation by not ensuring that the training of artisans is up to standard, by enforcing labour laws which do not allow for the easy transfer of skilled employees, and by neglecting to assist underperforming apprentices in improving their skills.en_US
dc.description.availabilityunrestricteden_US
dc.description.departmentConstruction Economicsen_US
dc.description.librariangm2014en_US
dc.identifier.citationMulder, FG 2013, An analysis of the state of innovation in the South Africa construction industry, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/41014>en_US
dc.identifier.otherE14/4/313/gmen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/41014
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Pretoriaen_ZA
dc.rights© 2013 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.en_US
dc.subjectSouth African construction industryen_US
dc.subjectConstruction contractorsen_US
dc.subjectMining industryen_US
dc.subjectLabour lawsen_US
dc.subjectSkilled employeesen_US
dc.subjectUCTDen_US
dc.titleAn analysis of the state of innovation in the South Africa construction industryen_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

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