Fawaz Alshihre, Ezekiel Chinyio, Chinny Nzekwe-Excel and Emmanuel I. Daniel
The study explored the disparity between construction clients and contractors on what constitutes “client satisfaction”. Such disparity is important because it can lead to…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explored the disparity between construction clients and contractors on what constitutes “client satisfaction”. Such disparity is important because it can lead to different conclusions and thus disagreement on the assessment of project success.
Design/methodology/approach
The philosophical stance was interpretivism, thus the qualitative methodology was adopted. Employing purposive sampling, 30 interviews with clients and another 30 interviews with contractors were conducted in Saudi Arabia. The data obtained were evaluated by thematic analysis.
Findings
The results indicate differences in the consensus ad idem (meeting of the minds) between clients and contractors in terms of both their perceptions and prioritisation of the attributes that underpin client satisfaction. For example, some contractors thought that using advanced technologies was very important for client satisfaction, whereas some clients preferred the contractors to be honest with them.
Research limitations/implications
The data collection was limited to Saudi Arabia and only the views of clients and contractors were studied, thereby limiting the generalisability of the findings.
Practical implications
The identification of the differing priorities of clients and contractors on client satisfaction provides an informed basis to make more concerted efforts to satisfy clients and minimise disputes on projects in Saudi Arabia.
Originality/value
The study contrasted the views of clients and contractors simultaneously on the subject matter of client satisfaction in relation to project success, and analysed this through the lens of consensus ad idem. The key influences on clients' satisfaction in Saudi Arabia are also presented.
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Fawaz Alshihre, Ezekiel Chinyio, Chinny Nzekwe-Excel and Emmanuel I. Daniel
Clients’ satisfaction is often associated with performance in the construction industry. Organisations that achieve very high ratings of clients’ satisfaction improve their…
Abstract
Purpose
Clients’ satisfaction is often associated with performance in the construction industry. Organisations that achieve very high ratings of clients’ satisfaction improve their positions in the marketplace. Many clients are often dissatisfied with their project outcomes. Hence, a research study was carried out to examine the ways project managers and/or contractors perceive the subject of clients’ satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applied qualitative research methods and followed the interpretivist paradigm and inductive research approach. A total of 30 interviews were conducted with construction project managers and evaluated by a thematic analysis.
Findings
The study identified five prominent factors which the project managers perceived to impact on clients’ satisfaction, which are as follows: effective financial management; use of skilled workers; use of advanced technology; customer relation and time management. Other contributors to clients’ satisfaction include effective team leadership, project monitoring, communication and adequate knowledge and skills.
Research limitations/implications
Data collection was limited to Saudi Arabia, but the general methodology used and some of the findings may be applicable beyond this country.
Practical implications
The findings provide a more informed basis of attaining greater clients’ satisfaction by contractors, especially within and possibly beyond Saudi Arabia. Also, contractors can directly enquire from clients about their satisfaction following project completion.
Originality/value
A project manager's perspective and Saudi Arabian orientation of clients’ satisfaction are presented. Also, insight into the multifaceted nature of the factors influencing clients’ satisfaction is provided.
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Lovelin Obi, Mohammed Arif, Emmanuel I. Daniel, Olugbenga Timo Oladinrin and Jack Steven Goulding
Circular economy (CE) and offsite construction (OSC) are two innovations for improving the construction industry's overall performance against a myriad of sustainability-driven…
Abstract
Purpose
Circular economy (CE) and offsite construction (OSC) are two innovations for improving the construction industry's overall performance against a myriad of sustainability-driven agenda/initiatives. There is a real opportunity to conjoin OSC and CE to provide new insight and opportunities to deliver more evidence-based sustainable systems. This study analyses extant literature in CE and OSC (between 2000 and 2021) through a bibliometric review to tease out critical measures for their integration and transformation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a science mapping quantitative literature review approach employing bibliometric and visualisation techniques to systematically investigate data. The Web of Science (WoS) database was used to collect data, and the VOSviewer software to analyse the data collected to determine strengths, weights, clusters and research trends in OSC and CE.
Findings
Important findings emerging from the study include extensive focus on sustainability, waste, life cycle assessment and building information modelling (BIM), which currently serve as strong interlinks to integrate OSC and CE. Circular business models, deconstruction and supply chain management are emerging areas, with strong links for integrating CE and OSC. These emerging areas influence organisational and operational decisions towards sustainable value creation, hence requiring more future empirical investigations.
Originality/value
This study is a novel research using bibliometric analysis to unpick underpinning conduits for integrating CE and OSC, providing a blueprint for circular OSC future research and practice. It provides the needed awareness to develop viable strategies for integrating CE in OSC, creating opportunities to transition to more sustainable systems in the construction sector.
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Josephine Ofosu-Mensah Ababio, Eric Boachie Yiadom, Daniel Ofori-Sasu and Emmanuel Sarpong–Kumankoma
This study aims to explore how institutional quality links digital financial inclusion to inclusive development in lower-middle-income countries, considering heterogeneities.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore how institutional quality links digital financial inclusion to inclusive development in lower-middle-income countries, considering heterogeneities.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses dynamic generalized method of moments to analyze a balanced panel data set of 48 lower-middle- income countries (LMICs) from 2004 to 2022, sourced from various databases. It assesses four variables and conducts checks for study robustness.
Findings
The study reveals a positive link between digital financial inclusion and inclusive development in LMICs, confirming theoretical predictions. Empirically, nations with quality institutions exhibit greater financial and developmental inclusion than those with weak institutions, emphasizing the substantial positive impact of institutional quality on the connection between digital financial inclusion and inclusive development in LMICs. For instance, the interaction effect reveals a substantial increase of 0.123 in inclusive development for every unit increase in digital financial inclusion in the presence of strong institutions. The findings provide robust empirical evidence that the presence of quality institutions is a key catalyst for the benefits of digital finance in inclusive development.
Originality/value
This study offers significant insights into digital financial inclusion and inclusive development in LMICs. It confirms a positive relationship between digital financial inclusion and inclusive development, highlighting the pivotal role of institutional quality in amplifying these benefits. Strong institutions benefit deprived individuals, families, communities and businesses, enabling full access to digital financial inclusion benefits. This facilitates engagement in development processes, aiding LMICs in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
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Ralph Olusola Aluko, Emmanuel Itodo Daniel, Olalekan Shamsideen Oshodi, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa and Abiodun Olatunji Abisuga
In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of applicants seeking placements in undergraduate architecture programs. It is important during the selection…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of applicants seeking placements in undergraduate architecture programs. It is important during the selection phase of admission at universities to identify new intakes who possess the capability to succeed. Admission variable (i.e. prior academic achievement) is one of the most important criteria considered during the selection process. This paper aims to investigates the efficacy of using data mining techniques to predict the academic performance of architecture students based on information contained in prior academic achievement.
Design/methodology/approach
The input variables, i.e. prior academic achievement, were extracted from students’ academic records. Logistic regression and support vector machine (SVM) are the data mining techniques adopted in this study. The collected data were divided into two parts. The first part was used for training the model, while the other part was used to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the developed models.
Findings
The results revealed that SVM model outperformed the logistic regression model in terms of accuracy. Taken together, it is evident that prior academic achievement is a good predictor of academic performance of architecture students.
Research limitations/implications
Although the factors affecting academic performance of students are numerous, the present study focuses on the effect of prior academic achievement on academic performance of architecture students.
Originality/value
The developed SVM model can be used as a decision-making tool for selecting new intakes into the architecture program at Nigerian universities.
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Emmanuel Itodo Daniel, Olalekan Oshodi, Daniel Dabara and Nenpin Dimka
Housing provides constructed space for human activities. Literature indicates that housing impacts wealth, education attainment and health outcomes, among others. Because of its…
Abstract
Purpose
Housing provides constructed space for human activities. Literature indicates that housing impacts wealth, education attainment and health outcomes, among others. Because of its contributions to society, it is essential to develop and implement strategies that address the housing shortage experienced in most cities across the globe. This study aims to unpack the factors affecting housing production in the UK and chart the way forward.
Design/methodology/approach
In addressing this study's aim, an interprivitst approach was adopted and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 experienced professionals. Data were collected across the four nations of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
Findings
The results indicated that the opportunistic behaviour of stakeholders is one of the main factors affecting housing production in the study area. Also, modern construction methods, collaborative practices, government intervention and affordable housing schemes were identified as key strategies for addressing housing production factors.
Practical implications
This study identified strategies for mitigating housing production issues that provide a focal point to all stakeholders keen on filling the housing shortage gap and improving productivity to channel their resources and effort accordingly.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to empirically analyse the influencing factors on the housing gap in the UK from the perspective of the supply side to provide information that could lead towards closing the said gap.
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Chigoziri N. Njoku, Temple Uzoma Maduoma, Wilfred Emori, Rita Emmanuel Odey, Beshel M. Unimke, Emmanuel Yakubu, Cyril C. Anorondu, Daniel I. Udunwa, Onyinyechi C. Njoku and Kechinyere B. Oyoh
Corrosion is a major concern for many industries that use metals as structural or functional materials, and the use of corrosion inhibitors is a widely accepted strategy to…
Abstract
Purpose
Corrosion is a major concern for many industries that use metals as structural or functional materials, and the use of corrosion inhibitors is a widely accepted strategy to protect metals from deterioration in corrosive environments. Moreover, the toxic nature, non-biodegradability and price of most conventional corrosion inhibitors have encouraged the application of greener and more sustainable options, with natural and synthetic drugs being major actors. Hence, this paper aims to stress the capability of natural and synthetic drugs as manageable and sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to the problem of metal corrosion.
Design/methodology/approach
In this review, the recent developments in the use of natural and synthetic drugs as corrosion inhibitors are explored in detail to highlight the key advancements and drawbacks towards the advantageous utilization of drugs as corrosion inhibitors.
Findings
Corrosion is a critical issue in numerous modern applications, and conventional strategies of corrosion inhibition include the use of toxic and environmentally harmful chemicals. As greener alternatives, natural compounds like plant extracts, essential oils and biopolymers, as well as synthetic drugs, are highlighted in this review. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these compounds, as well as their effectiveness in preventing corrosion, are discussed in the review.
Originality/value
This survey stresses on the most recent abilities of natural and synthetic drugs as viable and sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions to the problem of metal corrosion, thus expanding the general knowledge of green corrosion inhibitors.
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Temidayo Oluwasola Osunsanmi, Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala and Ayodeji Emmanuel Oke
The challenges confronting the Nigerian construction industry which led to the adoption of supply chain management (SCM) practice were evaluated in this chapter. It was discovered…
Abstract
The challenges confronting the Nigerian construction industry which led to the adoption of supply chain management (SCM) practice were evaluated in this chapter. It was discovered that the Nigerian construction industry is confronted with fragmentation and poor information management. The stakeholders within the Nigerian construction industry proposed the adoption of SCM to overcome the fragmentation and other shenanigans facing the industry. This chapter revealed that construction supply chain (CSC) practices within the Nigerian construction industry focus on waste elimination by adopting the lean concept. The focus on the lean concept could be attributed to the numerous research related to lean or the enormous waste emanating from the Nigerian construction industry. Regardless of the emphasis on lean, the Nigerian CSC is still confronted with fragmentation and heavy waste generation. Thus, this chapter proposed the adoption of principles and technologies driven by the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is a paradigm shift for the management of CSC in the country. It was discovered in this chapter that Nigerian construction supply stakeholders had not embraced the technologies and principles of the 4IR. The failure to adopt the technologies driven by the 4IR is attributed to the absence of a CSC model that depicts the management of CSC in alignment with the 4IR. This chapter called for developing a SCM model for the Nigerian construction industry in tandem with the principles and technologies of the 4IR.
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David Oloke, Louis Gyoh, Emmanuel Itodo Daniel, Olugbenga Oladinrin and Nagwan Abdallah
This study aims to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disruptive event on delivery of the built environment degree apprentice programme in higher education in the UK…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic disruptive event on delivery of the built environment degree apprentice programme in higher education in the UK and identify the key strategies to minimise the effect.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data from a sample set of built environment degree apprenticeship stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 key stakeholders to collate emerging themes on their perceptions of the impacts of the pandemic and strategies to adopted to minimise it.
Findings
The investigation reveals that the core impacts of Covid-19 on the apprentices training programme are lack of access to the site, furlough, limited access to off the job training, limited interaction with tutors and peers, too much time on the screen, limited pastoral care and lack of contact with a mentor. The census from the research participants is that despite the development and gain with the various virtual platform used during pandemic physical meetings with their mentor remain pivotal to the built environment apprentices learning and training.
Practical implications
The results provide relevant stakeholders and actors supporting degree apprentices training programmes (training providers and employers, among others) with the information needed to improve the delivery of built environment degree apprenticeship training programmes during a disruptive event Covid-19. The study identifies various strategies to minimise the impact of disruptive events on the apprentices training, including technology, regular meeting with mentors online, and personal and pastoral care.
Originality/value
The study is the first to document the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on degree apprenticeship programs in the built environment. This study provides an in-depth understanding of how these programs have been affected and offers potential solutions to reduce or mitigate potential damage. The research will inform future policy decisions related to degree apprenticeship programs in the built environment.