The manufacturing industry in Nigeria has been the so-called cornerstone of economic development since the sector has continuously played a major role in providing jobs and industrial capital. However, there remain issues that impede its progress, including inefficient resource use, unstable regulatory systems, and the need to comply with international market requirements. Specifically, it examined the effect of employee engagement, process efficiency, and resource allocation on Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. A survey research design was adopted, with a total population of 117 employees across five manufacturing firms. A total of 91 participants were administered a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using PLS-SEM. Findings revealed that employee engagement has the strongest effect on sustainable production (β = 0.412, t = 6.250, p < 0.000), followed by resource allocation (β = 0.237, t = 3.610, p < 0.000), and process efficiency (β = 0.174, t = 2.877, p = 0.004). It concluded that continuous improvement is significantly vital for sustainable production in the five sugar manufacturing firms studied in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that management of these selected firms focus on developing unique resource allocation strategies, employee engagement, and process efficiency to ensure sustained workforce improvement, thereby achieving sustainable production outcomes.

In recent years, the use of high-strength steels in hardfacing process has become increasingly common. One typical industrial example is the case of hydraulic shears used in building demolition operations, where the components are exposed not only to significant abrasive wear but also to intense dynamic loading. The use of quenched and tempered high-strength steel grade S690QL has become particularly widespread in this field, primarily as the base material for the hardfacing applied to the most heavily loaded regions of demolition shears. However, quenched and tempered high-strength steels are highly sensitive to the effects of the welding thermal cycle, which typically cause detrimental changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat-affected zone. The thermal cycles occurring during hardfacing differ from those typical of fusion welding, and consequently, the structure and mechanical properties of the resulting heat-affected zone may also vary. In addition, the penetration depth of the hardface layer can differ, which may significantly alter the load-bearing cross-section of the high-strength steel and, thus, the in-service behavior of the component. In the experimental work, hardfaced samples were performed on S690QL base material using different levels of heat input, thereby producing varying penetration depths. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of penetration depth on the resistance of the hardfaced component to dynamic loading. The tests were carried out at both +20 °C and –40 °C. The results clearly demonstrated that samples with deeper penetration exhibited reduced toughness at both investigated temperatures. 

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that contribute to the success and resilience of construction projects in Ethiopia’s construction industry. A major gap exists in the current literature regarding the empirical validation of the relationships between resilience and success in the Ethiopian construction industry. Data collection was conducted via an online survey between March 8^th and May 13^th, 2024. PLS-SEM analysis was performed on the survey responses. Results indicate that resilience significantly impacts a project's success. The following are resilience-enabling factors that increase a project's resilience and enhance overall project performance. These are: resilient leadership (taking risks; learning from subordinates; being flexible during decision making); organisational structures (having few direct reports; narrow span of control; job rotation); and project team culture (assign right people for right jobs; recognition or rewarding the team members; team passions for contribution for project success; team trusts); external environment factors (mitigating high inflation effect; managing unstable economy; using appropriate legal enforcement); and risk management practices (communicating frequently; understanding/knowing how to implement risk management practices; integrating risk management practices into routine activities; having enough budget/finance). Success indicators for construction projects include quality, cost, time, safety and customer satisfaction. Therefore, developing resilience-enhancing strategies could greatly increase the effectiveness of construction project performance. The contribution of this study includes empirical evidence from the Ethiopian context, as well as practical recommendations for policymakers and project managers to create customised resilience strategies. The limitations of this study include reliance on self-reported data and convenience sampling in collecting survey responses. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of resilience in overcoming the challenges of the construction industry in Ethiopia.

The evolution of AI is changing the landscape of project management. The integration of AI into project management brings many advantages, yet it is also accompanied by prominent weaknesses and serious challenges. In addition, rapidly evolving technologies continue to transform the field’s dynamics. These evolving dynamics result in ambiguity about the current state of the field, and consequently, create an uncertainty regarding a roadmap for future advancements. The purpose of this paper is to address this challenge by developing a well-grounded conceptual insight that identifies the risks associated with AI adoption in project management, guiding both academia and industry towards a structured approach to its future advancements. This paper conducts a detailed structured literature review, adhering the PRISMA protocol, to evaluate the impact of AI on key facets of project management, its potential benefits and implementation challenges. Then it analyzes the literature and synthesizes the key findings. Finally, it conducts comprehensive analysis to identify both positive and negative risks i.e. opportunities and threats. This in-depth analysis and its findings enable us to understand the nature of the risks, and how those can be harnessed or mitigated to advance the field. Furthermore, it provides both academia and industry the foundation to plan improved risk mitigation strategies and to develop a structured adoption framework. This study is expected to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the field.

The construction supervision consultant is an appointed party responsible for overseeing the implementation of construction projects from start to finish. The satisfaction level of project owners with the consultant’s performance is a key indicator of project success. This study aims to determine the level of satisfaction and key factors influencing it in public building projects. A quantitative method was employed by distributing questionnaires to respondents from the Public Works Office, particularly within the Cipta Karya Division in Tapin Regency, which serves as the case study location. Data were analyzed using the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) methods. The results showed that overall, the consultant’s performance was rated as very satisfactory, with the highest CSI score on the communication indicator (86.64%) and the ability to ensure and improve work quality (85.33%). The lowest CSI score was found in the documentation/administration indicator (80.11%). Although the CSI score indicates a high level of satisfaction, there is still room for improvement, particularly in administrative aspects and understanding of technical regulations. The IPA analysis also shows that several indicators fall under top priority, such as documentation/administration, supervision, internal human resources, communication, and the ability to ensure and enhance work quality. The improvement strategies proposed include training, high discipline, and effective communication.

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has raised uncertainty about the adequacy of traditional maintenance models to meet Industry 4.0 requirements. This study develops and validates an asset management framework to support the South African petrochemical industry’s transition to Maintenance 4.0. The framework was validated through a quantitative survey conducted within a leading petrochemical company in South Africa, ensuring its practical applicability. Descriptive statistical analysis confirmed 15 of 17 framework characteristics and supported five of seven theoretical propositions. Key enablers of Maintenance 4.0 adoption include the integration of human intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data, as well as the role of organizational culture and asset resilience in shaping outcomes. The study offers both theoretical contributions and practical guidance for maintenance professionals seeking to align maintenance practices with Industry 4.0 principles, with relevance extending beyond the immediate case context.