Abstract

MUZONDO, F T  and  MCCUTCHEON, R T. The relationship between project performance of emerging contractors in government infrastructure projects and their experience and technical qualifications. J. S. Afr. Inst. Civ. Eng. [online]. 2018, vol.60, n.4, pp.25-33. ISSN 2309-8775.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-8775/2018/v60n4a3.

Various studies have been conducted to investigate the reasons for the comparative failure of small contractors. Many of these studies have found the reasons for failure to be primarily related to factors that are beyond the control of the contractor or business management. Little attention has been paid to technical factors. This study sought to investigate the correlation between the performance of emerging contractors in government infrastructure projects to their technical qualifications and experience. An archive research methodology was adopted where contractor performance information was collected on 30 CE and GB projects conducted in Mpumalanga Province. The project data was then used alongside contractor qualification and experience data to investigate their relationship. When evaluating the qualification level, it was found that contractors with higher qualifications show better performance. It was also found that contractors with more technical qualifications perform better than those without. This study also concluded that contractors with more years of experience in the construction industry show better project performance. It is recommended that a much broader investigation must be carried out to examine to what extent these conclusions are applicable throughout South Africa. If so, there are important implications for the modification of existing procurement policy and procurement practice.

Keywords : Emerging contractors; technical competence; experience; project performance; policy.

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