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Topic Review
Fee Variability among Built Environment Professionals in SA
The capacity of professional services in the built environment to produce revenue and employment has contributed to the significant impact of the built environment on socio-economic development. Because of the market’s competitiveness, it is common practice in the South African construction industry for professionals to provide heavily discounted professional fees on building projects.
  • 429
  • 11 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Emotional-Intelligence and Decision-Making Association: Improving Productivity UK Construction-Industry
Sixty-five per cent of construction project failures stem from various challenging factors, often associated with human error factors (HEF) and the escalating complexity and technical demands within the UK construction industry. Successfully navigating these challenges requires not only technical skills but also a robust set of ‘soft skills’. Despite the significance of these findings, there is a considerable gap in the perception, uptake, and application of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the UK construction sector, particularly concerning its impact on the performance of construction professionals and the enhancement of productivity. This research investigated the relationship between EI and the decision-making processes of construction professionals in the industry, aiming to improve productivity. The goal was to uncover the extent of the association between various EI models and decision-making for construction professionals, as well as to understand the perception of EI among construction professionals and its critical role in their decision-making to boost productivity, ensure project success and safeguard project team members.  Data were collected using a mixed-method research design that incorporated both quantitative and qualitative studies. Twenty-two construction professionals participated in semi-structured (open-ended) interviews, while forty completed a survey questionnaire. The analysis utilised the six-phase reflexive thematic analysis method by Braun and Clarke (2022). From the qualitative data, the study revealed a correlation between individuals' perceived EI competence and their decision-making contexts rather than their overall scores. The findings carry practical implications for the construction industry and offer insights for project team members. Overall, the study indicated a stronger link between decision-making and EI than technical skills, particularly in contexts requiring additional competencies. The results suggest that EI is a notable deficiency, and understanding EI in the UK construction industry is a crucial determinant of construction professionals' performance and enhanced productivity. This research is significant for both researchers and industry practitioners as it sheds light on how construction professionals perceive information and make decisions. Additionally, the study contributes to professional practices and the body of knowledge within the construction sector. The aim is to evaluate construction professionals'  perceptions of EI competence concerning decision-making during project execution to boost productivity in mega-projects.
  • 277
  • 29 Sep 2025
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
A SWOT Analysis of Modular Construction
Modular construction is generally defined as a typical offsite construction approach that can improve environmental sustainability throughout the building project lifecycle. Based on this situation, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) while promoting this sustainable construction method effectively during the urbanisation process is essential. Generally, modular construction is a sustainable building approach that can improve project sustainability, considering the environmental, social, economic, and technological aspects. A comprehensive understanding of the basic situation of prefabricated construction is worthwhile to ensure the widespread adoption of this offsite building method. By employing the SWOT analytical framework, this study adopts a literature review approach to conduct the investigation. In terms of the project results, the core strengths of using modular construction include improving environmental sustainability, enhancing management effectiveness, and improving construction safety and quality. The major weaknesses, on the other hand, are a lack of expertise and research, excessively high initial costs, and difficulties in stakeholder coordination. On the other hand, the major opportunities include promoting the SDGs and other policies, the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and urbanisation and building demands. The main threats, however, include substitute construction technologies, imperfect building codes and standards, and a lack of social and market acceptance. Further research can increase the sample size and collect more accurate firsthand data to validate the results of the current investigation, which can increase the effectiveness of promoting modular construction in the targeted regions.
  • 17
  • 22 Jan 2026
Topic Review
Masonry Arches: Thrust Line and Strength
The concept of ‘thrust line’ has its roots in historical contributions that laid the foundation for the development of modern tools useful for the limit analysis of masonry arches and vaults. This concept can be traced back to two different, but related, notions: ‘line of resistance’ and ‘line of pressure’. In this paper, both historical contributions and recent developments of the thrust line method will be discussed with a focus on those formulations which take into account the material’s properties, in particular compressive strength.
  • 15
  • 10 Mar 2026
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