Journal of Civil Engineering Vol 68 No 2

Journal of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering Volume 68 Number 2 June 2026 5 developed such a framework, consider- ing relevant multi-criteria for contractor registration, grading, and performance evaluation using the AHP. FORMULATION OF THE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The primary data for this study comprised questionnaires directed at members of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), cidb contractors, and registered members of the South African Council for Project and Construction Management (SACPCMP). The question- naire covered issues related to construction sector entry requirements, the contractor grading system, the efficacy of the grading system and grading criteria, and project performance evaluation of contractors. The questions focused on matters pertaining to the knowledge, adequacy, relevance, and efficacy of the construction sector entry requirements, grading systems, per- formance evaluation, and criteria. It also focused on the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector performance evaluation systems on infrastructure projects. Once the questionnaire was developed, expert opinion was considered to finalise the questionnaire’s content so that the most appropriate information for the research scope and objectives could be elicited. The questionnaire was designed in a user-friendly online format using Google Forms. Before sending the online survey to the participants, the response time and other technical features of the survey were tested through a pilot survey. The results from the questionnaire formed the basis for determining the crite- ria for registering and grading contractors. The AHP was utilised for this study as described and motivated below. Thereafter, simulated scenarios were used to validate the framework. The data collected from the completed questionnaires was analysed using struc- tured equation modelling (SEM) and SPSS software. SEM is a framework that incorporates the simultaneous solution of linear systems of equations and procedures such as regres- sion, factor analysis, and path analysis (Harrell & Langton 2015). SmartPLS was used to conduct concurrent confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis (Davari & Rezazadeh 2015). The Pearson product- moment correlation was calculated using SPSS software (version 23) to explore the direction, strength, and significance of the bivariate relationships of the contrac- tor grading system, construction entry requirements, grading and performance evaluation criteria, and enhanced contrac- tor capabilities and project performance. Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Research suggests that questionnaire surveys are the most frequently used research method, specifically for psy- chological, management, and marketing research (Woodside 2010). The question- naire method is based on the logic that the responding individual represents not only his/her thinking process but also that of others who are involved in the decision process over the span of the respondents’ experience. Table 2 depicts the institutions the survey was sent to, as well as the estimated number of potential participants. A total of 149 responses were received. Selecting an appropriate sample size requires con- sideration of several factors that may affect the research study. To ensure an accurate sample size, the formula for determin- ing sample size should be used, which considers population size, margin of error, confidence level, and standard deviation (Qualtrics 2022). Graglia (2023) states that 100 responses are needed for a population of 3 000 to 10 million for a 10% margin of error. Thus, 100 responses are needed for marginally acceptable accuracy (Great Brook 2023). Of the 149 responses received, 49 respondents (32.9%) are registered as Grade 1, 2, and 3 contractors, 16 respondents (10.7%) are registered as Grade 4, 5, and 6 contractors, and 17 respondents (11.4%) are registered as Grade 7, 8, and 9 contractors. The remaining 67 (45%) respondents are members of SAICE and the SACPCMP. Figure 1 shows the years of experience in the construction sector. In terms of construction sector experience, 19 respondents (12.8%) have 0 to 5 years’ experience, 33 respondents (22.15%) have 5 to 10 years’ experience, 24 respondents (16.1%) have 10 to 15 years’ experience, 14 respondents (9.4%) have 15 to 20 years’ experience, and 53 respondents (35.6%) have over 20 years’ experience. Four respondents indicated that they are consultants, and two respondents indicated that they are not yet practicing in the con- struction sector. In terms of professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), as depicted in Figure 2, 33 respondents (22.1%) are registered as can- didate engineers, 38 respondents (25.5%) are registered as professional engineers, 21 respondents (14.1%) are registered as professional engineering technologists, 2 respondents (1.3%) are registered as professional certificated technologists, 10 respondents (6.7%) are registered as profes- sional engineering technicians, and the Table 2 Number of participants the questionnaire was sent to Institution Sent SAICE 10 000 cidb 10 000 SACPCMP 8 220 Total 38 220 Figure 1 Years of experience in the construction sector 0–5 years 5–10 years 10–15 years 15–20 years 20 years and above 12.80% 22.15% 16.10% 35.60% 16.80%