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Causes of Contractor Cost Overrun in Construction Projects: The Case of Ethiopian Construction Sector
Zinabu Tebeje Zewdu,
Getachew Teka Aregaw
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015
Pages:
180-191
Received:
19 June 2015
Accepted:
25 June 2015
Published:
14 July 2015
Abstract: Completion of a construction project with budget is frequently seen as a major criterion of project success by clients, contractors, consultants and related stakeholders. It is here that project management becomes essential tool for the delivery of effective projects than the traditional functional management. However, the construction industry is faced with challenges to meet budget. This study is conducted to identify the top five cost over-run factors and survey is conducted on 140 respondents. The samples were drawn using convenient sampling approach. Primary data is collected using the self-administered questionnaires. While secondary data is collected through reviewing of related materials and the analysis is conducted using SPSS version 20. As per the contractor’ response, the top five factors that causes cost overrun of construction projects were from medium to high. On the other hand, the top five factors as per the response of consultants and clients ranged between high to very high. The contractors outlined the top five factors that causes cost overrun in construction projects are poor planning, fluctuation of price of materials, poor productivity, inflationary pressure and project financing in descending order.
Abstract: Completion of a construction project with budget is frequently seen as a major criterion of project success by clients, contractors, consultants and related stakeholders. It is here that project management becomes essential tool for the delivery of effective projects than the traditional functional management. However, the construction industry is ...
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A Study Into the Possibility of Upgrading Farmers’ Profit by Means of Linking Small Holder Farmers to Potential Market Chain
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015
Pages:
192-200
Received:
2 July 2015
Accepted:
8 July 2015
Published:
1 August 2015
Abstract: The study was conducted in Bennekom and Wageningen (the Netherlands) to link the spelt grower farmers to potential market chain. For this study purpose, two village towns were selected using purposive sampling techniques. From the selected area, a total of 60 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires and check list. Data were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) software of version 20.In analyzing stakeholders and market institutions, a chain mapping was used to determine the relationship and arrangements that exist among actors in the chain. The study results revealed that the spelt bread value chain in Bennekom and Wageningen consists of organic and conventional segments. It is market driven and a short chain that only few actors are involved. There is a good opportunity for farmers, millers and bakers to align themselves to create a local conventional spelt bread chain where farmer, the least actor gaining profit from his own product can optimize his income. Spelt growers, millers and bakers should cooperate in order to formulate a sustainable profit-oriented chain that supports the goal of the Stichting Buurstchap Doesburger Eng (SBDE) foundation in upholding social cohesion in Doesburger Eng area. To make these possible, farmers should be linked to millers and bakers who will process their spelt to flour and bread respectively. However, in this chain where relationship is based on trust and not on contracts, the farmers should be able to fulfill the requirements of delivering consistent good quality and supply of flour throughout the year which serves as the foundation of building trust among partners in the chain.
Abstract: The study was conducted in Bennekom and Wageningen (the Netherlands) to link the spelt grower farmers to potential market chain. For this study purpose, two village towns were selected using purposive sampling techniques. From the selected area, a total of 60 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires and che...
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Market Chain Analysis of Agro-forestry Products: The Case of Fruit at Tembaro District, Kembata Tembaro Zone South Ethiopia
Nega Mateows,
Teshale Wolde Amanuel,
Zebene Asfaw
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015
Pages:
201-216
Received:
29 June 2015
Accepted:
1 July 2015
Published:
10 August 2015
Abstract: Ethiopia has a variety of fruit crops grown in different agro ecological Zones by small farmers, mainly as a source of income as well as food. The nature of the product on one hand and the lack of market system on the other hand have resulted in low producers’ price and hence low benefit by the producers. This study was carried out to analyse the market chain of agroforestry products such as mango, avocado and banana. Two kebeles were selected based on the presence of fruit production. Data was collected from 140 mango, banana and avocado producing households, 7 local collectors and 13 retailers through structured interview, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, market assessment as well as field observation. Structure, Conduct and Performance (SCP) approach was used to analyze avocado, banana and mango market also OLS (Multiple linear regression model) was used to analyzed factors that determine banana, mango and avocado market supply of the producers in the area. The market actors in the survey period were producers, rural assemblers, retailers, and consumers. Banana, mango and avocado market structure in the area shows the competitive nature. Among the different variables that were hypothesized as determining factors for volume of marketable supply the econometric result showed that price, access to extension service, distance, access to market information and quantity produced for mango and avocado were significant whereas active family size, distance, quantity produced, access to market information, and price for banana were significant. For each fruit types there are four marketing channels. Among the channels the producer-retailer-consumer channel was identified as the first important marketing channel in terms of volumes of each fruits transacted while the producer-local collector-consumer channel was identified as the least marketing channel in terms of volumes of each fruits transacted. Fruit trading in the study area is considered as a low profile activity mainly handled by female traders. There is a tradition that trading fruits in the study area is not by male. So, it is strongly recommended that stockholders will give awareness creation for the society in order to minimize such kind of tradition from the society and to encourage male fruit traders in the study area.
Abstract: Ethiopia has a variety of fruit crops grown in different agro ecological Zones by small farmers, mainly as a source of income as well as food. The nature of the product on one hand and the lack of market system on the other hand have resulted in low producers’ price and hence low benefit by the producers. This study was carried out to analyse the m...
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The Impact of Small – Scale Irrigation on Income of Rural Farm Households: Evidence from Ahferom Woreda in Tigray, Ethiopia
Abraham Gebrehiwot Yihdego,
Addis Adera Gebru,
Mesfin Tilahun Gelaye
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 4, August 2015
Pages:
217-228
Received:
15 July 2015
Accepted:
30 July 2015
Published:
10 August 2015
Abstract: Background: Small scale irrigation is an important strategy in reducing risks associated with rainfall variability and increasing income of rural farm -households. Objective: To examine the impact of small-scale irrigation on income of rural farm households. It also presents the problems and challenges in use of small scale irrigation. Methods: A cross-sectional data obtained using a sample of 200 respondents selected through multi-stage random sampling techniques from three Tabiyas in Woreda Ahferom in central Tigray, Ethiopia in 2013/2014 cropping year. The data were analyzed using Heckman treatment effect two-step model. Result: The Probit estimation shows that Household head with social leadership, access to extension, and availability of irrigable land, number of oxen and family size have significant and positive effect whereas the family size square and distant to the nearest market restrains participation in small scale irrigation. The ordinary least square using household income as outcome variable reveals that Tropical Livestock Unit, participation in small scale irrigation and land size has significant positive effect on household income. Conclusion and recommendation: The study pointed out that loss of water, pests and diseases are the most common challenges in using small scale irrigation. Administration body and other concerned body should work the best on the quality, expansion and distribution of small scale irrigation by solving or at least mitigating the challenges face in using small scale irrigation.
Abstract: Background: Small scale irrigation is an important strategy in reducing risks associated with rainfall variability and increasing income of rural farm -households. Objective: To examine the impact of small-scale irrigation on income of rural farm households. It also presents the problems and challenges in use of small scale irrigation. Methods: A c...
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