Browsing by Author "Chawynski G"

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A Study of the Soft Skills Possessed and Required in the Construction Sector
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-02-14) van Heerden AH; Jelodar MB; Chawynski G; Ellison S; Tummalapudi M; Harper C
Soft skills are essential to employability and retention; therefore, if obtained and observed, they can significantly reduce sector-wide turnover. This study aims to investigate and compare soft skills that industry professionals currently possess and soft skills the industry requires and needs to attain. A questionnaire was administered using the RICS database, and 741 respondents participated in this study. Initially, the soft skills possessed and the soft skills required were analysed and compared via descriptive statistics. Furthermore, principal component factor analysis was used to identify the underlying factors and classify the identified soft skills. It was found that there are alignments and evident discrepancies between the actual skills currently possessed and the skills required by these professionals. The soft skills currently possessed by the industry were classified into three groups: (a) Ethics and Professionalism Cluster; (b) Self-Effort Management Cluster; and (c) Management—Leadership and Power Cluster. This was different to the two clusters identified for the soft skills requirements, which were: (a) trait-based cluster—less controllable; (b) training-based cluster—more controllable. The study concludes that there are controllable and less-controllable skills, which need to be possessed and managed in building professionals. Controllable soft skills are easier to train, whereas trait-based soft skills are more difficult to train and possess. The findings of this research are significant as their understanding can be used to help mitigate turnover and guide construction sector professionals to plan for the appropriate skills they require.
C-DREEM: A framework for estimating the cost of earthquake-damaged buildings – A New Zealand study
(2025-09-01) Kahandawa Appuhamillage R; Domingo N; Chawynski G; Uma SR
Natural hazards created by earthquakes require an accurate post-earthquake cost estimation mechanism on the road to recovery. However, there are no identifiable accurate post-earthquake cost estimation mechanisms. This has led to major deviations between the initial and final construction costs. For example, the estimated cost of repair of the 2010–2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence changed from 41 billion NZD to $53 billion NZD (adjusted for inflation). Previous research identified eleven factors that specifically impact post-earthquake cost estimation. The recognisable literature was unable to identify a post-earthquake cost estimation model that considers these factors. Therefore, this research aims to fill this gap by developing and validating the cost of damage repair (including refurbishment) and the Earthquake Estimation Model (C-DREEM) framework. The C-DREEM framework was developed based on previous literature and inputs from a development team that included eleven industry professionals. The developed framework was then verified through a focus group interview consisting of nine professionals. The research developed and verified a framework for cost estimation for earthquake damage repair work, C-DREEM, that impacts earthquake damage repair work. C-DREEM incorporates the factors affecting post-earthquake cost estimation and improves the speed and accuracy of post-earthquake cost estimations for damage repair work.
Earthquake Damage Repair Loss Estimation in New Zealand: What Other Variables Are Essential Based on Experts’ Opinions
(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-08-28) Kahandawa RKAV; Domingo N; Chawynski G; Uma SR; Yepes V
Major earthquakes can cause extensive damage to buildings and alter both the natural and built environments. Accurately estimating the financial impact from these events is complex, and the damage is not always visible to the naked eye. PACT, SLAT, and HAZUS are some of the computer-based tools designed to predict probable damage before an earthquake. However, there are no identifiable models built for post-earthquake use. This paper focuses on verifying the significance and usage of variables that specifically need to be considered for the post-earthquake cost estimation of earthquake damage repair work (CEEDRW). The research was conducted using a questionnaire survey involving 92 participants who have experience in cost estimating earthquake damage repair work in New Zealand. The Weighted Average, Relative Importance Index (RII), and Exploratory Factor Analysis were used to analyse the data. The research verified that eleven major variables that are significant to the CEEDRW and should be incorporated to cost estimation models. Verified variables can be used to develop a post-earthquake repair cost estimation tool and can be used to improve the pre-earthquake loss prediction tools.
Gender-perceived workplace stressors by New Zealand construction professionals
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-02-19) van Heerden A; Boulic M; McDonald BW; Chawynski G
The construction workplace is male-dominated and stressful, but little is known about gender-based differences in its stressors. This research examined the effect of gender and personal attributes on stressors in the New Zealand construction industry at four major levels: (1) individual, (2) group, (3) organizational, and (4) extra-organizational. Target respondents were professional construction members from Site Safe New Zealand, with 317 completed questionnaires and statistical analysis using the two-sample t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Levene’s test. The findings show that females have higher qualifications than males, but males have about ten years more experience and more completed projects than their female counterparts. Males reported significantly higher technical skills than females and there was no significant difference between genders regarding sector involvement. At the individual level, females were most affected by role conflict stress and the perception of different treatment because of gender. Males felt significantly higher stress over the variable 'on/off-site office/administration building conditions’. At the group level, there were no significant gender differences, but sexual harassment warranted further investigation. Within the organizational and extra-organizational levels, no variables differed significantly between genders. The construction workforce has a strong gender imbalance and efforts are needed to address this through better work-life balance.