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"This book proposes ways of improving and sustaining construction labour productivity through fulfilling the decent work agenda"--

Decent work deficits in Zimbabwe have exacerbated low construction workers' productivity. Therefore, the functional decent work agenda matrix can potentially be utilised in place of the non-existent construction labour productivity performance monitoring tools. Hence, this study aims to determine significant decent work objectives for monitoring construction workers' productivity performance and also to examine demographic-related statistically significant differences. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a positivist paradigm was utilised for data collection and analysis owing to the aim of revealing relationships between construction workers' productivity performance and decent work objectives. Adequate earnings, productive work and environmental context were the most significant objectives while all other objectives were significant towards monitoring construction workers' productivity performance. Demographically targeted interventions include the need for adequate remuneration according to different generations and designations of workers, work-life balance for various designations and educational levels, improving the stability of employment, enhancing social security and improving training and awareness of environmental sustainability for workers of various designations. This study did not consider skilled construction workers' views as this was exploratory. Significant decent work objectives can be utilised to monitor construction workers' productivity performance, thereby improving both workers' welfare and productivity.

The increased complexity of construction projects necessitates the need for quantity surveying professionals to achieve and maintain the highest levels of competency. However, various factors have inhibited their expected professional practice aptitude. Hence, this study reported on the factors affecting the competency of surveying professionals. A questionnaire-based descriptive survey strategy was undertaken to collect quantitative data from both consultant quantity surveyors and contractor quantity surveyors on the factors that influence their competence. The factor analysis revealed four significant components, including inadequate project and professional practice, inadequate academic and technological advances, inadequate organisational structure and teamwork and unclear individual career development goals. In addition, an assessment of the statistically significant differences based on the ranking by consultant and contractor quantity surveyors was undertaken. Contractor quantity surveyors consider inadequate polytechnic education and training, inconsistent project implementation strategies and unclear organisation development goals as impacting most negatively on the competence of quantity surveying professionals. This finding reveals a need to establish collaboration between higher education institutions and professional bodies for the development and implementation of relevant strategic plans to resolve these inadequacies. Also, organisational development goals and project implementation strategies are relevant and important for contractors as opposed to firm consultants. The withdrawal of primary data from quantity surveying professionals was the only limitation; however, the factors primarily affecting quantity surveyors and their insights are vital.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the construction industry in numerous ways. However, contextual empirical studies that enable derivation of interventions are yet to be undertaken. This study investigates the perceptions of construction professionals relative to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and responses on the construction sector in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a quantitative design which entailed the distribution of a web-based questionnaire among construction professionals, architects, construction/project managers, engineers and quantity surveyors from construction and consultancy firms in Bulawayo and Harare. The data were analysed based on the descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic and responses had significant effects on the construction sector. The pandemic affected the construction sector through nine main pathways; the top five being loss of income for workers, project implementation delays, job losses, increased health and safety risk, and project suspensions. Through identifying the main pathways in which the COVID-19 pandemic affected the construction industry, the study provides important insights to policymakers, construction stakeholders and researchers to plan targeted interventions or policies to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the sector. However, because of the small sample, the study results are indicative and care should be taken when generalising the results to a large population.

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.