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The study investigates the impact of skills and concomitant competencies in enhancing claims management in order to ameliorate disputes in the South African construction industry. By evaluating the role of various skills and abilities, the study provided significant insights for optimizing claims management methods and enhancing project outcomes. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, combining a content analysis of industry reports, and legal precedents relating to construction claims management and skills development. Additionally, structured interviews and surveys were undertaken with key stakeholders in the construction sector. A total of eleven interviews and ninety-three (93) complete responses were retrieved from respondents including contractors, subcontractors, project managers, legal experts, and industry associations. These interviews and surveys attempt to obtain qualitative and quantitative data on the impact of skills on claims management procedures, including competency levels, training experiences, problems faced, and perceived outcomes. study underlines the need for investing in training and development programs to alleviate skills shortages and build a culture of competence among construction professionals. The conversation discussed the possible role of technology in complementing abilities and improving claims management efficiency. It is recommended that recognizing the crucial link between skills and claims management effectiveness, stakeholders may apply measures to limit risks, improve procedures, and ultimately increase successful project outcomes in the construction industry.

Small, Micro- and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) play a significant role in most world economies, particularly in developing countries. South Africa’s SMMEs demonstrate a high failure rate and do not seem to match the performances of applicable best practices. Regarding construction SMMEs, these issues are particularly noticeable. This study wants to investigate the level of performance of SMMEs in the construction industry of the Gauteng Province in South Africa as compared to SADC and best practices by addressing the research question, “To what extent do Gauteng construction SMMEs deviate from global best practice and SADC measures in terms of performance metrics?”, using regional and global lenses. The study design was cross-sectional qualitative based on secondary data. The targeted study population consisted of registered Gauteng construction SMMEs, and SADC and global best practices benchmarks were used for measuring these performances. The study found the Gauteng construction SMMEs were not engaging in social responsibility, and were lacking the most in business results, policy and strategy, processes, and in people management.

Construction SMEs contribute significantly to the growth and development of national economies and provinces. The study aimed to explore the prevalent challenges and growth prospects of construction small and medium enterprises operating in Gauteng Province, South Africa. It followed a multi-method qualitative approach, a systematic literature review followed by semi-structured interviews. A systematic literature review was initially conducted to examine the available scholarly literature from Google Scholar and Web of Science databases on the study area. From the databases, 24 studies were screened for a detailed review from the initially selected 185 publications. A thematic content analysis was conducted to explore different themes from the screened studies analysed using ATLAS.ti24 software. Then a semi-structured Interview was conducted with Fifteen Owners/Managers of construction SMEs operating in Gauteng province. Subsequently, six major categories of challenges were identified: corruption and ethical issues, financial and economic barriers, regulatory and governance shortcomings, organizational gaps,  project performance gaps, and market constraints. The study, with a similar research approach, uncovered different prospects, which were grouped into three key areas: financial and policy support, technological and digital advancements, and market and strategic collaborations. Based on these findings, a framework was developed to capture the interplay between these challenges and opportunities. The study offers practical recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and SMEs to address critical impediments while capitalizing on available opportunities.  

The study significantly enhances the current literature by highlighting the importance of financial management skills in the success of MSMEs, especially in the context of small construction firms functioning under unstable and uncertain economic conditions. It offers insights on how effective financial management can alleviate the negative impacts of economic uncertainty, including variable interest rates and regulatory modifications, which were intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study concentrates on BCO Construction in Johannesburg, examining the distinct financial issues encountered by small construction firms and the potential solutions through improved financial management strategies. The research delineates numerous vital financial management competencies needed for project accomplishment. This encompasses the capacity to manage liquidity efficiently, sustain profitability, and utilize financial instruments such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Earned Value (EV) management. It emphasizes the significance of abilities in managing financial leverage, which can facilitate the attainment of project objectives within budgetary and temporal limitations. The findings indicate that the absence of trained financial personnel, ineffective payment systems, and liquidity issues are substantial obstacles for BCO Construction. Consequently, it is advisable to tackle these difficulties through specialized financial literacy and management training to enhance overall project performance. The study employs a quantitative methodology, including standardized questionnaires administered to eighty (80) participants to gather data regarding the problems and competencies required for financial management in building projects. The analysis conducted with SPSS version 29 indicates that enhancing communication channels, integrating strategic financial planning, and implementing thorough training programs are essential for aligning financial objectives with overarching corporate goals. This alignment is essential for optimizing resource allocation, guaranteeing financial stability, and improving competitiveness in the construction sector.  

This qualitative research investigates the influence of servant leadership on the execution of strategic government initiatives, with a particular emphasis on the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in Kwa-Thema. The project outcomes were investigated by collecting data from 10 participants using convenience sampling to investigate the impact of servant leadership traits, including empathy, commitment, empowerment, humility, ethical stewardship, long-term vision, and resilience. Thematic analysis was implemented to pinpoint critical themes and insights that were pertinent to the success and obstacles of the project. The research tackles a critical issue: project failures frequently result from inadequate leadership, which impedes team cohesion, collaboration, and overall performance (Swart et al., 2022). Additionally, the results suggest that servant leadership significantly improves project delivery by ensuring transparency, promoting collaboration, and aligning projects with community requirements. The impact of leadership on project achievement was discovered to be mediated by employee motivation and engagement. The study's limitations include its emphasis on a particular region and project type, which implies the necessity of conducting more extensive research. There are two recommendations: the integration of servant leadership principles into project management practices and the provision of targeted training for leaders to improve team dynamics and project outcomes.

The South African construction sector is confronted by significant obstacles, particularly concerning cost overruns and project delays within the road construction sphere. This research sought to investigate the factors impacting cost and duration in road construction projects under the purview of a KwaZulu-Natal municipality. A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore this phenomenon. A sample size of 27 participants was selected from a population of 171 for in-depth semi-structured interviews. Critical determinants of cost overruns and delays were identified as ineffective communication, suboptimal procurement processes, deficient stakeholder management, and shortcomings in project execution and personnel capabilities. This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between cost, time, and the successful delivery of road projects within the local government context. By illuminating these factors, the research contributes to a deeper theoretical understanding, informs evidence-based policy development, and provides actionable recommendations for enhancing project management practices.