Construction Management conference in SA Nov 2012

The second Nelson Mandela Metro University Construction Management conference in Port Elizabeth, SA, on 25 -27 November 2012, calls for papers.

The conference provides an international forum for researchers and practitioners from developed, developing and underdeveloped nations to address fundamental construction management and construction project management issues.

Objectives of the conference are to:
Provide a forum for multi-disciplinary interaction between academics and practitioners
Provide an internationally recognised, accredited conference
Disseminate innovative and cutting edge practices
Contribute to the construction management and construction project management bodies of knowledge.

The organisers aim to bring together researchers, academics, administrators and practitioners representing educational institutions, government agencies, contracting organisations, consulting enterprises, financial institutions, and other construction related organisations from all over the world.

Conference theme

Given that the Department of Construction Management focuses on the education of construction managers and construction project managers, the conference will address the practice of these two disciplines.

Main topics
Career promotion
Continuing professional development
Construction economics
Construction resources, including labour
Diversity
Education and training
Ethics
Functions in an organisation e.g. marketing
Functions of management work e.g. planning
Gender
Multi-cultural issues
Professional association and registration
Project management knowledge areas
Project management processes
Project parameters e.g. health and safety
Skills development and transfer.

Conference outcomes

Relative to construction management and construction project management, responses are sought to several critical questions:
What changes would lead to an improvement in performance?
How can information technology contribute to improved performance?
What are the barriers to change?
How can construction management be promoted in the informal construction sector and among SMMEs?
How can education, training, and professional development be improved?
How can skills better be developed and transferred?
How can communication and management difficulties be addressed?
How can risk be better recognised, understood and avoided?
How can corruption be mitigated?
How can ethical behaviour be promoted?
How can diversity and inclusivity be promoted?
How can the regulatory environment be more effective?
How can professional association and registration be promoted?

Abstracts and Papers

Authors are invited to submit abstracts in English of not more than 200 words for peer review by the scientific and technical committee by not later than 24 June 2012.

To produce a structured abstract, please complete the following fields relative to the paper.

There are six fields which are obligatory: purpose; design; findings; value; research limitations / implications, and practical implications. Each abstract should indicate the topic of the conference the proposed paper will address, and give the name and full contact details of the author to be contacted concerning the paper.

Abstracts will be reviewed according to: the relevance to the topics and objectives of the conference; originality of subject matter; likely academic rigour of the proposed paper; and likely contribution to knowledge, or practical relevance, of the proposed paper.

Only papers that are based on actual research that include empirical findings will be accepted upon proof of registration.

• Respond to Prof John Smallwood (PhD, Constr Man, Pr CM FCIOB MACPM MESSA MICOH MIoSM MSAIOSH), Head of Department of Construction Management, Programme Director, MSc Built Environment Programme, Summerstrand North Campus, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, +27 41 504 2790 /551, fax +27 41 504 2345 / 574, cell + 27 83 659 2492, John.Smallwood@nmmu.ac.za

Photo; Prof John Smallwood of NMMU, Construction Management conference organiser.

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Edmond Furter

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Edmond Furter is a freelance technical journalist, specialising in Occupational SHEQ and editor of Sheqafrica.com. He is a former editor of the South African Safety Management, Occupational Risk Management, and ReSource magazines. Edmond has won six journalism awards.

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