Search results

The adoption of value management (VM) has been on the rise in the construction industry, especially in the past decade. Identifying the main barriers to VM application for ameliorating poor project outcomes in the construction industry is a critical step to overcoming its implementation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the barriers to the adoption of VM in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) and identify the critical ones for action by construction stakeholders.

This study used two rounds of Delphi surveys with 15 VM experts to identify the challenges to VM adoption. The Delphi team’s data from the two surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean-mode approach was used to identify ten major barriers to VM adoption based on the consensus reached during the second round of the Delphi poll. Following that, an interrater agreement analysis and a significant level analysis were performed.

Of the 17 identified barriers hindering VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI, 10 were found to be profound after statistical analyses of the data. The significant barriers include communication gap between the client and other consultants; delay in design preparation because of VM services; the pretext that VM is being practiced in the construction industry; and the wrong perception of VM by construction professionals, among others. The findings of the analysis suggested that the lack of VM adoption in the NCI was because of inadequate knowledge of VM techniques among construction professionals. Therefore, it is advised that VM training be provided for concerned stakeholders to address the lack of VM expertise among Nigerian construction professionals.

This study investigated the barriers to VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI with the opinions of a few construction professionals who can be regarded as VM experts. As against obtaining large survey responses from construction professionals who may not be knowledgeable in the VM process, the limited VM experts’ responses provide a valid basis for drawing inferences and making recommendations to address the paucity of VM applications in the NCI.

Through a Delphi survey, the critical barriers to the adoption of VM were identified, along with recommendations to help construction stakeholders overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits of VM.

The internet’s revolutionary impact on communication, information access and business transactions exemplifies how technology can reshape human behaviour. Similarly, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) hold immense potential to transform our interaction and control of the physical environment. This study investigates the challenges hindering the adoption of CPSs in Nigeria’s construction industry, aiming to pave the way for a more sustainable future in construction.

This study examined challenges related to CPSs in Nigerian sustainable construction projects. Data were gathered through a literature review and a questionnaire survey of Lagos-based construction professionals (architects, quantity surveyors, engineers and builders). Statistical methods were used to analyse the data. Mean and standard deviation determined respondents’ opinions’ central tendency and variability. The data’s suitability for factor analysis was confirmed through Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett’s sphericity tests, indicating strong correlations between variables. Factor analysis subsequently identified key challenges hindering CPSs implementation in Nigerian construction.

The mean and standard deviation analysis findings indicated that the most significant challenges of CPSs for sustainable construction projects in Nigeria are lack of awareness, inadequate public–private partnership, professional complacencies, data overload and lack of capital. In addition, the analysis was also conducted using factor analysis, which includes five groupings: financial inhibition, management barrier, geopolitical inhibition, national security and lack of awareness.

This study recommended that the challenges listed in this study should be considered and worked on through financial, political and professional support of CPSs for sustainable construction projects, such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programmes and national awareness programmes.

Sustainable construction practices are strongly correlated with a profitable and competitive construction industry, improved client satisfaction and efficient use of resources. However, due consideration is not being given to sustainable construction practices in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aims to identify the unsustainable construction practices on construction sites, the barriers to sustainable construction and possible strategies to improve sustainable construction in Nigeria.

A questionnaire survey of 50 construction sites was conducted with construction professionals on the sites as the specific target, out of which only 43 construction sites have at least a construction professional present at the site. Forty-three filled questionnaires from the respondents were used for descriptive (mean score, standard deviation and charts) and inferential analysis (t-test and Kruskal–Wallis) in this study.

The study shows that a large percentage (75%) of construction professionals in Nigeria are aware of sustainable construction. The descriptive and inferential analysis showed a disparity in the ranking of the 12 unsustainable practices, 14 barriers and 11 strategies among the respondents. Five unsustainable practices (“negative externalities”, “excess energy”, “unsustainable technologies”, “non-management of health and safety of workers” and “material waste”), six barriers to sustainable construction (“absence of historical data and exemplary projects on which construction professionals can build and learn from”, “lack of professional to handle the task”, “poverty and low urban investment”, “lack of urban and construction policy”, “lack of awareness” and “lack of technical know-how”) and three strategies to improve sustainable construction practices in Nigeria (“cooperation, partnership and participation”, “protection of biodiversity and conservation of natural resources” and “sustainability assessment system”) were found to be significant.

The study offers significant insights into the construction industry unsustainable practices, barriers to sustainable construction, as well as strategies for improving sustainable construction practices. These insights can be applied to other developing countries with an emphasis on geographical differences.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the recent studies in Nigeria that explored the context of sustainable construction in the construction industry by providing insights into the unsustainable construction practices, barriers and strategies to improve sustainable construction in Nigeria.

The paper assessed the required drivers of mentoring practices in construction-related firms: a perspective of the quantity surveying (QS) firms in Nigeria with a view to providing possible drivers for effective mentoring relationships in the respective construction firms.

Survey design was used to assess the level of knowledge, mentoring concept adoption and the required drivers of mentoring relationships in construction-related firms. QS firms in Abuja, Nigeria were sampled through the use of semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 149 questionnaires were administered to principal partners, partners, senior quantity surveyors and quantity surveyors in QS firms in Abuja through personal delivery. A total of 142 of them were returned and found suitable for analysis, representing 95.30% effective response rate. Percentage, mean, Kruskal–Wallis and factor analyses were utilized for the analysis of the data.

The study revealed an appreciable knowledge of mentoring concept but not so much with the adoption in the respective firms. This connotes that there is a problem with the adoption of mentoring concept in construction-related firms despite knowledge of the concept. Also revealed by the study, are the required drivers of mentoring practices in construction-related firms.

The findings show the required drivers of mentoring practices in construction-related firms and the recommendations to further the adoption and implementation of these drivers to ensure mentoring practices thrive in construction-related firms in the country.

This paper reveals the required drivers of mentoring practices in Nigerian construction-related firms and provides ways through which the drivers can be implemented in the construction firms.

The main aim of this research study is to comprehensively evaluate the level of awareness and practical implementation of mechatronic technologies in developing countries, with a particular emphasis on their application within the Nigerian construction industry.

Using a quantitative framework, this study uses a well-structured questionnaire that was administered to professionals within the Nigerian construction industry. Subsequently, the obtained data was subjected to in-depth analysis such as mean values and standard deviations, utilization of the Kruskal–Wallis H-test and application of the Shapiro-Wilk normality test.

Results from the study revealed a relatively fair level of awareness and implementation of mechatronic technologies among Nigerian construction professionals. Among the 22 mechatronic technologies surveyed, respondents exhibited considerable awareness and implementation of only a few, underscoring the imperative for further initiatives to enhance awareness of these technologies.

By focusing on a developing country context and specifically addressing the construction sector, this research offers novel insights into the opportunities associated with adopting advanced technological solutions in a unique setting. The findings of this study provide a foundation for future discussions, strategies and interventions aimed at fostering the integration of mechatronic technologies in similar contexts.

Global construction sector studies have significantly explored the impact of automation techniques, revealing their transformative potential. However, research on their application within specific local contexts, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, is sparse. Nigeria presents a unique context marked by challenges such as skilled labor shortage, safety concerns and cost efficiency. Therefore, investigating the implementation of automation techniques in the Nigerian construction industry is crucial to address these challenges, bring transformative advancements and contribute to a more balanced global discourse on automation adoption. This study aims to fill this significant research gap.

A mixed research method was deployed which combined both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Two focus group discussions conducted with 23 experts from both industry and academic institutions (qualitative) yielded 17 drivers which were used to formulate a well-structured questionnaire (quantitative), which was disseminated to construction professionals. Collected data underwent analysis through various statistical techniques, including percentages, frequencies, mean item scores and exploratory factor analysis.

Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded four driver clusters namely: (1) performance-related drivers, (2) visualization and efficiency-related drivers, (3) technological and human-related drivers and (4) economic-related drivers.

The study provides empirical insights that can aid stakeholders, decision-makers, policymakers and the government in formulating strategies to promote automation techniques in the Nigerian construction industry and beyond.

This study's originality lies in its exploration of the untapped potential of automation techniques in the Nigerian construction industry, offering novel perspectives on how these technologies can address specific challenges such as skilled labor shortage, safety concerns and cost efficiency, thereby paving the way for transformative advancements in the sector.

With a view to ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of construction projects, this study evaluates the critical success factors (CSFs) for the adoption of gamification principles by construction professionals in developing countries, with an emphasis on Nigeria.

This study adopted a post-positivism philosophical approach, using a questionnaire survey to obtain quantitative data from 126 construction professionals in Lagos State. The data obtained were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean item scores (MIS), Kruskal–Wallis H-test and principal component analysis (PCA) as part of the exploratory factor analysis (EFA).

The findings indicated that the most significant factors for the adoption of gamification principles in the construction industry were “clear game mechanics and rules,” “incentives and rewards for users,” “secure and reliable technology infrastructure,” “real-time progress tracking and feedback” and “clear and measurable objectives.” Employing factor analysis, these CSFs were subsequently grouped into three primary clusters, namely “relevance and user experience,” “technology and support” and “integration and process.”

These findings not only enrich the existing theoretical framework but also provide a solid foundation upon which researchers can build for further theoretical development. This study also offers valuable insights that can inform and improve practical applications of gamification within the construction industry.

While prior research has explored gamification in various contexts, the unique contribution of this study is the thorough investigation of CSFs for gamification adoption specifically within the construction industry. In essence, this study fills a critical gap in the literature by offering fresh perspectives and tailored solutions for the construction industry's specific gamification needs.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of cloud computing (CC) and the challenges that contribute to more successful projects with a major sustainable construction development.

The previous studies provided information on CC implementation barriers, which were then evaluated by 104 construction stakeholders through a questionnaire survey. As a result, the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) approach was used to investigate these barriers. Furthermore, a partial least square structural equation model was used to build a model of these barriers (PLS-SEM).

The EFA results revealed that the above-noted factors are in a close relation with three key components, i.e. social, economic and communication. In addition, the proposed model results found the social barrier a key challenge to the implementation of CC.

The results from this study can help decision-makers to improve the approaches regarding data fragmentation that has great effects on the execution of all construction projects. The focus of the paper is to enhance the data fragmentation processes. In addition, the results would be useful to strengthen the sustainability of existing construction projects by enhancing the implementation of CC.

The novelty of this research work will provide a solid foundation for critically assessing and appreciating the different barriers affecting the adoption of CC.

The paper aims to determine the possible drivers of value management (VM) in the construction industry with a view of providing better-quality construction and achieving value for money through its usage.

The study adopts a survey design, and construction professionals from various strata in the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria are assessed using a convenience sample through the use of a structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, mean score and one-sample t-test are used for analysing the data gathered.

Result revealed that although knowledge regarding VM practices is high, its adoption in the industry is average and the involvement of construction professionals in VM workshops is low. Government involvement through the introduction of VM policy, client commitment and proper understanding of VM methodology aid the adoption of VM practices.

This research was conducted across six geopolitical zones of the country as against common practice of selecting a particular region or state to represent the entire country. The findings therefore show a true reflection of the VM drivers in the country. Its recommendations can, to a large extent, increase the use of VM in the country and also other developing countries where construction projects are executed through a similar method, style and approach.

This paper highlights the possible ways of increasing the use of VM in the construction industry with a view to achieve better-quality construction and value for money.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the cloud computing (CC) methods and tools towards the achievement of construction project sustainability in Nigeria.

Data were obtained from the literature, complemented by a quantitative method using a questionnaire distributed among 104 respondents comprising mainly construction professionals in Nigeria. Subsequently, data were analysed using the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) method. In addition, the partial least square structural modelling was used to generate a model for the adoption of CC tools for sustainable construction.

EFA results indicated that the CC implementation tools could be categorised into four significant constructs: platform, communication, software and data storage. Results obtained from the model showed that platform tools were the most crucial tools for implementing CC in the construction industry.

The findings from this study are essential to the pursuit of perception of methods and tools connected to the vagueness of CC for future employees. In addition, the identified CC tools are expected to enhance the success of construction projects.

The novelty of this research work will be a benchmark or board for decision-makers to quality by adopting CC methods and tools in Nigeria’s construction projects to achieve their sustainable projects.