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A mixed philosophies epistemological design with inductive reasoning was adopted to develop new theoretical insights into the phenomena under investigation. First, interpretivism was employed to contextualise the prevailing body of knowledge and source questions (and prompts) to be posed to practitioners. Second, a case study strategy (augmented by participant action research) was adopted to measure construction industry professionals' perceptions of the clerk of work's role and their impact upon both quality and safety of construction.

This research conducts a case study investigation of affordable and/or social home construction and examine industry's perception of the clerk of works (CoW) and their powers and responsibilities within existing legislation to impact quality of construction.

The findings illustrate that while the clerk of work's role positively impacts quality and safety of construction, it is hindered by cost and time constraints that are often prioritised. An analogy to “yield points” in materials science is then adapted to develop new theory to conceptualise the pivotal position that the CoW has in upholding quality construction. The research concludes with pragmatic recommendations (such as industry centric codes of practice) to mitigate quality and safety issues arising and signpost future academic research in this area.

UK construction has been criticised for prioritising costs and profits vis-à-vis quality and safety issues, as exemplified by the Grenfell fire. This study demonstrates the need for reinstatement of the CoW role in mitigating residential housing quality decline.

The first paper, entitled “The perception of tenants in the refurbishment of tower blocks” (Facilities, Vol. 31, No. 3/4), argued that refurbishment was the best option that a local authority could undertake to improve tower blocks. The study also found that refurbishment maintained local communities by keeping families together and sustained the environment. This paper aims to present and examine similar views from the contractor's and landlord's representatives on several aspects affecting the refurbishment process

A literature review is used to identify the perceived problems and benefits of refurbishment. A qualitative approach comprising semi structured interviews and questionnaires was used to collect data from three contractors or service providers of the refurbishment process and two landlords' representatives, namely the clerk of works drawn from the housing association. The sample data are analysed using frequency analysis and content analysis.

Refurbishment as opposed to demolition was identified as a viable option for achieving sustainability. There were some divergent views among the respondents concerning the achievements to be gained from refurbishments. The project managers identified “client satisfaction”, and “within budget and time”. The senior site manager chose “a better way of life” and “improved security”. The quantity surveyor opted for “profit‐oriented”, finally, “provision of decent homes at affordable prices” was identified by the senior clerk of works. The knowledge of the council funding mechanisms for refurbishment works among the respondents ranged from adequate to ideal. The contractor's representatives exhibited limited knowledge.

The findings of the study provide practical value for contractor's and landlord's (housing association) representatives within the construction industry confronted with the decision of whether to undertake some refurbishment works. Some lessons learned could also improve the housing stock or asset management strategies for the landlord's representatives.

The paper is original in the sense that it identifies how the contractor's and landlord's (housing association) representatives as drawn from different professional background rate the reasons, benefits, and practicalities of undertaking refurbishment works of tower blocks or high rise buildings. The study also provides some insights on the contractor's and landlord's (housing association) representative's knowledge and awareness of sustainable development, and councils' funding mechanisms for undertaking refurbishment works.

Claim for partial reimbursement of travelling expenses incurred by Clerks of Works and certain Storekeepers

Mutual Investigation. There seems to be a refreshing, open breeze blowing through the ranks of time and motion study technicians these days. Gone are the ponderous exponents of the mystic art and, instead, we find the experts vying with each other, almost, in telling their audiences how easy time and motion study really is if you only sit down and think about it.

(3256) Observance of recognised terms and conditions of employment by a company in Brighton, Sussex, engaged in the Building Industry.

States that unlike other developed countries where upgrading works have been in place for many years, the upgrading programme mounted by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is still in its infancy stage in Singapore. Notes, however, that, unlike the upgrading experience in other developed countries, the programme undertaken in Singapore is on a more massive scale involving a larger proportion of the population. In view of these two major differences between the HDB’s experience and of the developed world, sets out to examine: the rationale for upgrading older public housing estates in Singapore; the various phases implemented by the HDB for its upgrading programmes in Singapore; and the measure adopted by the HDB and its contractors to minimize hazards and inconvenience to residents.

Outlines the work undertaken to repair and upgrade ′The Milliners′, a 16th century structure and Grade II listed building. Discusses the initial thorough investigation of the house, and the methods by which the owner′s brief to retain the character of the house while allowing for a high standard of modern services, was carried out. Details the problems of inserting services into the structure without cutting into the floor and the installation of central heating radiators into the outside wall of one of the bedrooms. Explores the work of the building contractor, electrical services contractor and mechanical services contractor, supervised by a clerk of works. Suggests that the work would have been more efficiently carried out by a single consultant.

Although quality assurance (QA) was introduced more than a decade ago in the UK, the implementation of QA systems in the Singapore construction industry is still a relatively new phenomenon. While QA is now slowly making its presence felt in the Singapore construction industry over the past two years, there has been a lack of study of the problems faced by practitioners in implementing QA for building projects at its infancy stage in the industry. Examines the problems faced during this infancy stage and draws lessons therefrom.

The Summer 1972 issue of Personnel Review contained an article by Enid Mumford setting out a framework for analysing job satisfaction. This article presented a theoretical and practical approach for evaluating and measuring job satisfaction, together with a definition which equated job satisfaction with the fit between what an employee was seeking from work and what he was receiving or, in other words, the fit between job needs and expectations and the requirements of the job. This analytical framework has since been used extensively in industrial and commercial organizations as a means for assisting the design of the human part of computer systems. The method has been used in the following way.

Bill Walsh has a reputation for taking complex concepts which originated at the academic level and simplifying them for popular consumption. In this article he treats the subject of job enrichment in this way and summarises his experience in introducing it in practice.