Expected Competencies of Quantity Surveyors in Zimbabwe
Main Article Content
Abstract
Complex clients’ requirements and numerous construction industry challenges require an interrogation of the quantity surveyor’s competencies. This article reports on a study that sought to determine the expected competencies of quantity surveyors and to establish statistically significant differences in ranking due to quantity surveyor designations. A questionnaire survey research design was employed to collect the primary data. Quantity surveyors from all quantity surveying firms and those working for construction companies in the major cities of Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe participated in the study. Eight components were revealed through factor analysis, with the highest ranked component consisting of project finance control and reporting, sustainability issues and conflict avoidance management and dispute resolution procedures. While the traditional competencies of effective financial control and conflict management remain vital, sustainability issues have also become a priority. Hence, continuous professional development programmes and curricula redesigns that cater for these competencies are essential. A statistically significant difference due to the consultants’ and contractors’ quantity surveyor designations was revealed, indicating a differentiation of their roles. Thus, relevant weighted competency assessment frameworks also need to be instituted. However, owing to the exploratory nature of the study, only views of quantity surveyors were considered.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Adesi, M., De-Graft, O. and Murphy, R. (2018). Strategic competencies for pricing quantity surveying consultancy services. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 25(3): 458–474. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM12-2016-0264
AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) (2012). National Competency Standards for Quantity Surveyors: Construction Economists. Sydney, Australia: AIQS. Available at: https://www.aiqs.com.au/sites/default/files/uploadedcontent/website-content/aiqs_competency_standards_2012.pdf [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
_____. (2004) World’s Best Practice in Quantity Surveying: What it means to you. [Brochure]. Sydney, Australia: AIQS.
_____. (1999). National Competency Standards for Quantity Surveyors: Construction Economists. Sydney, Australia: AIQS. Available at: https://dokumen.tips/download/link/aiqs-competencies.html [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
_____. (1998). National Competency Standards for Quantity Surveyors. Sydney, Australia: AIQS. Available at: http://www.icoste.org/AIQS%20Competencies.pdf [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
Akinola, J.A. (2019). Challenges of adopting multiskilling strategy to quantity surveying practice in Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, 16(6): 58–66.
Ashworth, A., Hogg, K. and Higgs, C. (2013). Willis’s Practice and Procedure for the Quantity Surveyors. 13th Ed. New Jersey, USA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Balasundaram, N. (2009). Factor analysis: Nature, mechanism and uses in social and management science research. Journal of Cost and Management Accountant, 37(2): 15–25.
Baruch, Y. (1999). Response rate in academic studies: A comparative analysis. Human Relations, 52(4): 421–438. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872679905200401
Benson, J. and Nasser, F. (1998). On the use of factor analysis as a research tool. Journal of Vocational Education Research, 23(1): 13–33.
Blumberg, B., Cooper, D.R. and Schindler, P.S. (2008). Business Research Methods. 2nd Ed. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Bolton, L.E. and Alba, J.W. (2006). Price fairness: Good and service differences and the role of vendor costs. Journal of Consumer Research, 33(2): 258–265. https://doi.org/10.1086/506306
Chamikara, P.B.S., Perera, B.A.K.S. and Rodrigo, M.N.N. (2020). Competencies of the quantity surveyor in performing for sustainable construction. International Journal of Construction Management, 20(3): 237–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2018.1484848
Chazireni, E. and Chigonda, T. (2018). Occupational safety and health challenges in construction industries: Case of Masvingo City, Zimbabwe. World Journal of Advance Healthcare Research, 2(6): 16–20. Available at: https://www.wjahr.com/admin/assets/article_issue/10102018/1541050073.pdf
Chouhan, V.S. and Srivastava, S. (2014). Understanding competencies and competency modelling: A literature survey. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 16(1): 14–22. https://doi.org/10.9790/487X-16111422
Crafford, G.J. and Smallwood, J.J. (2007). Clients’ views on quantity surveying competencies. Acta Structilia: Journal for the Physical and Development Sciences, 14(1): 33–55.
Chigara, B. and Moyo, T. (2014a). Factors affecting labor productivity on building projects in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Architecture, Engineering and Construction, 3(1): 57–65. https://doi.org/10.7492/IJAEC.2014.005
_____. (2014b). Overview of operational and regulatory framework for occupational safety and health management in Zimbabwe’s construction industry. In F.A. Emuze and C. Aigbavbao (eds.), Proceedings: TG59 “People in Construction” Conference. South Africa: Port Elizabeth, 150–159.
CIFOZ (Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe) (2019). Membership directory. Available at https://www.cifoz.co.zw/membership-directory/ [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
Cunningham, T. (2014). The Work and Skills Base of the Quantity Surveyor in Ireland: An Introduction. Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin: Technological University Dublin. https://doi.org/10.21427/prwx-z232
Dada, J.O. (2017). An appraisal of paradigm shifts required of competence of the Nigerian quantity surveyors. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 24(6): 1269–1280. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-02-2016-0038
Dada, J.O. and Jagboro, G.O. (2012). Core skills requirement and competencies expected of quantity surveyors: Perspectives from quantity surveyors, allied professionals and clients in Nigeria. Australasian Journal of Construction Economics and Building, 12(4): 78–90. http://doi.org/10.5130/ajceb.v12i4.2808
Field, A. (2014). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. 4th Ed. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
Fortune, C. and Skitmore, M. (1994). Quantification skills in the construction industry. Construction Management and Economics, 12(1): 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446199400000009
_____. (1993). The identification and classification of the skills required for the collection and transfer of design information. In Economic Evaluation and the Built Environment, Vol 1: Knowledge Based Systems in Planning and Construction, The International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation CIB W-55 and 95, 6 to 10 September 1993. Available at: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/4516/ [Accessed on 15 June 2020].
George, D. and Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. 11.0 update. 4th Ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Ghasemi, A. and Zahediasl, S. (2012). Normality tests for statistical analysis: A guide for non-statisticians. International Journal of Endocrinology Metabolism, 10(2): 486–489. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijem.3505
Guadagnoli, E. and Velicer, W.F. (1988.) Relation of sample size to the stability of component patterns. Psychological Bulletin, 103(2): 265–275. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.2.265
Hasan, F., Ismail, Z., Zaini, A.A., Hassan, S. and Maisham, M. (2011). An evaluation of the competencies, skills and knowledge of quantity surveying graduates in consultant quantity surveying firms in Malaysia. In Proceedings: IEEE Colloquium on Humanities, Science and Engineering Research. Pulau Pinang, Malaysia: CHUSER, 228–232. https://doi.org/10.1109/CHUSER.2011.6163722
IFS (International Federation of Surveyors) (2018). FIG guidance on professional competencies for quantity surveyors/construction economists/cost engineers, FIG Commission 10. Available at: https://www.fig.net/resources/publications/figpub/pub71/Figpub71.pdf [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
IQSSL (Institute of Quantity Surveyors Sri Lanka) (2015). IQSSL membership. Available at: http://www.iqssl.lk/membership/about-membership.html#ROUTES [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
Kaiser, H.F. (1974). An index of factorial simplicity. Psychometrika, 39(1): 31–36.
Kuwaza, K. (2019). Zimbabwe: Zim’s construction sector in intensive care. Zimbabwe Independent, 13 December, 12.
Magwaro-Ndiweni, L. (2016). Celebrating women in construction. Construction and Mining Magazine, 5(1): 10–11.
Marrelli, A.F., Tondora, J. and Hoge, M.A. (2005). Strategies for developing competency models. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 32(5–6): 533–561. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-005-3264-0
Mhlanga, P. (2019). Zim’s construction industry in a coma. Business Times, 7 November. Available at: https://businesstimes.co.zw/zims-constructionindustry-in-a-coma/ [Accessed on 2 February 2020].
_____. (2018). Zim construction sector faces major hurdles. The Contractor, February. Available at: http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Construction-Magazine-FEBRUARY.pdf [Accessed on 2 February 2020].
_____. (2017). Construction industry shrinks. The Financial Gazette, 23 February. Available at: https://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/constructionindustry-shrinks/ [Accessed on 2 February 2021].
Mohmad, M., Othman, M. and Saberi, M.H. (2009). In search of competencies of an exceptional QS in public entity: Building a theoretical foundation. In Proceedings: Seminar Alam Bina II. Perak, Malaysia: Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak, 1–11. Available at: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/19048/1/MPRA_paper_19048.pdf [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
Moser, C. and Kalton, G. (1971). Survey Methods in Social Investigation. 2nd Ed. Aldershot, UK: Dartmouth Publishing Co.
Moyo, T., Crafford, G. and Emuze, F. (2019). Decent working conditions for improved construction labour productivity on Zimbabwean building projects. Acta Structilia, 26(2): 1–38. http://doi.org/10.18820/24150487/as26i2.1
_____. (2018). Decent working conditions for improved construction labour productivity on Zimbabwean building projects: A pilot survey. Paper presented at the SACQSP International Research Conference 2018. Rosebank, South Africa, 30 September–1 November.
Moyo, T., Mangore, E. and Chigara, B. (2014). Work measurement techniques utilised by the building industry in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. International Journal of Sustainable Construction Engineering and Technology, 5(1): 42–52.
Mulder, M. (2014). Conceptions of professional competence. In S. Billet, C. Harris and H. Gruber (eds.), International Handbook of Research in Professional and Practice-based Learning. Dordrecht: Springer, 107–137. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8902-8_5
Mulder, M. (2011). The concept of competence: Blessing or curse? In I. Torniainen, S. Mahlamäku-Kultanen, P. Nokelainen and P. Ilsley (eds.), Innovations for Competence Management. Lahti: Lahti University of Applied Sciences, 11–24. Available at: https://www.mmulder.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-Mulder-Competence-Blessing-or-Curse-in-Torniainen-et-al.pdf [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
Nkado, R.N. (2000). Competencies required by quantity surveyors in South Africa. In A. Akintoye (ed.), Proceedings: 16th Annual ARCOM Conference. Scotland: Glasgow Caledonian University, 11–20.
Ogunsemi, D.R. (2004). Meeting the challenges of national development: A case for review of quantity surveying curriculum. Paper presented at the 21st Biennial Conference of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) on Adding Value to Reforming Challenges for the Quantity Surveying Profession in Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria, 24–27 November.
Olanrewaju, A. (2016). Measuring the service gaps in the roles of quantity surveyors in the emerging market. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 23(5): 1111–1131. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-07-2014-0066
Olanrewaju, A. and Anahve, P.J. (2015). Duties and responsibilities of quantity surveyors in the procurement of building services engineering. Procedia Engineering, 123: 352–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.10.046
Oyewole, O.E. and Dada, J.O. (2019). An evaluation of training needs of the Nigerian construction professionals in adopting building information modelling. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 24(2): 63–81. https://doi.org/10.21315/jcdc2019.24.2.3
PAQS (The Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors) (2001). Competency Standard for Quantity Surveyors in the Asia-Pacific Region. Selangor, Malaysia: PAQS. Available at: http://www.paqs.net/node/219 [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
Parera, S., Pearson, J. and Dodds, L. (2010). Alignment of professional, academic and industrial development needs for quantity surveyors. Proceedings of the in RICS COBRA Research Conference. Paris, France: Dauphine University, 1–20.
Perera, B.A.K.S., Hemajith, S.D.M., Ginige, K. and Amaratunga, R.D.G. (2007). Quantity surveyor as the technical appraiser in the Sri Lankan financial industry. In Proceedings: Built Environment Education Annual Conference. Central London: University of Westminster. Available at: http://usir.salford.ac.uk/9827/ [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
Perreault, W.D.J. and McCarthy, E.J. (2002). Basic Marketing: A Global-Managerial Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Ramus, J., Birchall, S. and Griffiths, P. (2008). Contract Practice for Surveyors. 4th Ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080476858
RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) (2018). Pathway guide: Quantity surveying and construction. Available at: https://www.scribd.com/document/408377038/RICS-QS-and-Construction-Pathway-GuideAugust-2018# [Accessed on 2 December 2020].
_____. (2015). Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) Guidance. London: Royal Town Planning Institute.
_____. (2014). Assessment of Professional Competence. London: RICS. Available at: www.rics.org/Global/RICS-APCRequirements-andCompetencies-Aug-2014-WEB.pdf [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
_____. (2009). Assessment of Professional Competencies, Assessment of Technical Competencies Requirement and Competencies. London: RICS. Available at: http://www.rics.org/site/download_feed.aspx?fileID=3729&fileExtension=PDF
[Accessed on 20 December 2020].
_____. (2006). Guide for Supervisors, Counsellors and Employers: Graduate Route to Membership. London: RICS Available at: https://scsi.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sceguide.pdf [Accessed on 20 December 2020].
_____. (1998). The APC Requirement and Competencies. London: RICS. Available at: https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/qualify/pathwayguides/pathway-guides-requirements-and-competencies
_____. (1992). The Core Skills and Knowledge Base of the Quantity Surveyor. London: RICS.
Said, I., Shafiei, M.M.W. and Omran, A. (2010). The competency requirements for quantity surveyors: Enhancing continuous professional development. Acta Technica Corviniensis – Bulletin of Engineering, 3(3): 105–112.
_____. (2008). The competency requirement for quantity surveyors: Enhancing continuous professional development. Sri Lankan Journal of Human Resource Management, 2(1): 17–27. http://doi.org/10.4038/sljhrm.v2i1.5102
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2016). Research Methods for Business Students. 7th Ed. London: Pearson Education.
Serim, H., Demirbag, O. and Yozgat, U. (2014), The effects of employees’ perceptions of competency models on employability outcomes and organizational citizenship behavior and the moderating role of social exchange in this effect. Procedia – Social and Behavioural Sciences, 150: 1101–1110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.125
Shafie, H., Khuzzan, S.M.S. and Mohyin, N.A. (2014). Soft skills competencies of quantity surveying graduates in Malaysia: Employers’ views and expectations. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 1(1): 9–17. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v1.n1.3
Shafiei, M.M. and Said, I. (2008). The competency requirements for quantity surveyors: Enhancing continuous professional development. Sri Lankan Journal of Human Resource Management, 2(1): 17–27.
Shayan, S., Kim, K.P., Ma, T., Freda, R. and Liu, Z. (2019). Emerging challenges and roles for quantity surveyors in the construction industry. Management Review: An International Journal, 14(1): 82–96. Available at: https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/INFORMS/a19154ba-c5e4-4a42-af42-0c6b23c694b8/UploadedImages/MRIJ_14_1__82-96__6-30-19_.pdf [Accessed on 20December 2020].
Skorkova, Z. (2016). Competency models in public sector. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 230: 226–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.09.029
Simushi, S. and Wium, J. (2020). Time and cost overruns on large projects: Understanding the root cause. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 25(1): 129–146. https://doi.org/10.21315/jcdc2020.25.1.7
Sonson, J.S. and Kulatunga, U. (2015). Quantity Surveying Role and Environmental Influences in Saint Lucia. Manchester: University of Salford.
Suhairom, N., Musta’amal, A.H., Amin, N.F.M. and Johari, K.A. (2014). The development of competency model and instrument for competency measurement: The research methods. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 152: 1300–1308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.09.367
Taherdoost, H. (2016). Validity and reliability of the research instrument: How to test the validation of a questionnaire/survey in a research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 5(3): 28–36. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3205040
Wanda, M.M., Tramontin, V. and Haupt, T.C. (2016). The evolving competencies of quantity surveyors. In Proceedings: Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa, 10th Built Environment Conference. Port Elizabeth: ASOCSA.
Yusop, N., Derus, M.M., Bakar, N.A., Saberi, M.H. and Abdullah, M.A. (2018). Technical skills in quantity surveying and relevant practices: Discipline standards. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 8(9): 1863–1873. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v8-i9/4867