Arthur (Articles)

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    Factors influencing the implementation of project risk management in the South African construction industry
    (South African Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2025-08-29) Masea, K.B.; Hassan, Ferdinand S.; Grobbelaar, Schalk; ferdinand.hassan@tuks.co.za
    ENGLISH : Effective project risk management is crucial for successful construction projects. However, the construction industry continues to face problemsin implementing project risk management practices. This study investigates the barriers to and enablers of implementing project risk management in the South African construction industry. Semi-structured interviews of experienced industry professionals on a case study projectwere conducted to answer the research questions. The findings reveal that inadequate knowledge, communication breakdowns, financial constraints, and resistant attitudes are significant barriers to implementing project risk management. Conversely, leadership support, clear policies, and proactive engagement emerge as key enablers. A framework is proposed to address the barriers and to leverage the enablers, thus enhancing project risk management practices in the construction industry. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing actionable insights for construction organisations, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to improve project outcomes through effective risk management.
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    Multifactorial optimization enables the identification of a greener method to produce (+)-nootkatone
    (Elsevier, 2024-09) Makhubela, Ida M.; Zawaira, Alexander; Brady, Dean; Pienaar, Daniel P.; daniel.pienaar@up.ac.za
    The natural aroma compound (+)-nootkatone was obtained in selective conversions of up to 74 mol% from inexpensive (+)-valencene substrate by using a comparatively greener biocatalytic process developed based on modifications of the previously published Firmenich method. Buffer identity and concentration, pH, temperature and downstream work-up procedures were optimized to produce a crude product in which >90 % of (+)-valencene had been converted, with high chemoselectivity observed for (+)-nootkatone production. Interestingly, the biotransformation was carried out efficiently at temperatures as low as 21 ºC. Surprisingly, the best results were obtained when an acidic pH in the range of 3–6 was applied, as compared to the previously published procedure in which it appeared to be necessary to buffer the pH optimally and fixed throughout at 8.5. Furthermore, there was no need to maintain a pure oxygen atmosphere to achieve good (+)-nootkatone yields. Instead, air bubbled continuously at a low rate through the reaction mixture via a submerged glass capillary was sufficient to enable the desired lipoxygenase-catalyzed oxidation reactions to occur efficiently. No valencene epoxide side-products were detected in the organic product extract by a standard GCMS protocol. Only traces of the anticipated corresponding α- and β-nootkatol intermediates were routinely observed.