Assessment of the Use of Solid Concrete and Interlocking Stones in the Construction of Walkways in a Tertiary Institution

Over the years solid concrete and interlocking stones have gained popularity in the construction of walkways due to their immense benefits. This study therefore assessed their usage in the construction of walkways in a tertiary institution, using the Federal University of Technology, Akure as a case study. The study, through the review of documentary evidence, personal observation and interview, assessed the level of usage of these materials within the institution, the present condition of these walkways, factors influencing the usage of these materials and the factors affecting their present conditions. The study revealed that the use of solid concrete for walkway construction is gradually fading away as most of the walkways newly constructed are done with the use of interlocking stones. This is as a result of the need for beautification and the need to meet up with present trend. The major defects associated with solid concrete walkways within the institution are cracks and breakages while that of interlocking stones are presence of vegetative growth in between voids, removal of interlocking stones and undulating walkways. The major factors responsible for these defects include; adverse weather condition, poor construction, poor usage and poor maintenance. The study therefore recommend adequate maintenance, use of underground drains beneath sub soil to allow proper draining of absorbed water, shading of concrete walkways through use of light weight covering and proper filling and compaction of sub-base to avoid underground settlement. Keywords: Construction, Interlocking stone, Pavers, Solid concrete, Walkways

Stakeholder identification methods used in private organisations’ projects in Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to examine the stakeholder identification (SI) methods used in building projects procured by private corporate organisations in Southwestern Nigeria to draw a correlation between methods used for SI and project performance in the study area, thereby enhancing project performance. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a census survey to purposively select 30 projects managers (who indicated from a first-stage questionnaire) that they have participated in structured stakeholder management (SM) from a list of 106 project managers and client representatives who have been involved in SM of building projects procured by private corporate organisations between 2008 and 2017 in the study area. A second-stage questionnaire was designed to elicit information from the respondents. The quantitative data that were collected were analysed using mean score (MS) analysis and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings – The study found that brainstorming in group meetings (MS = 4.33), interviews with the expert (MS = 3.20) and identification by other stakeholders (MS = 3.00) are the most frequently used SI methods in the study area. It was also found that the use of a questionnaire (MS = 0.87), Delphi method (MS = 0.80) and public hearing (MS = 0.57) was rare for SI in the study area. A further result showed that there was no significant difference in the opinion of project managers on 85% of methods used for SI in the study area irrespective of the procurement method employed. Practical implications – The study examined the methods project managers used for SI on building projects procured by private corporate organisations to advocate for more robust and all-inclusive SI methods. Originality/value – The study empirically examined methods used for SI and correlated them to project performance

Factors determining the marketing strategies of construction firms: construction professionals' perspective

Construction firms are not dedicated to the comprehensive adoption of marketing concepts and strategy, and thus do not enjoy the benefits of profit maximization, client satisfaction and loyalty and improved overall organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is, to assess the perception of construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their construction firms. A questionnaire survey approach was used in the study. The questionnaires were administered to construction professionals within the study area, Frequency, Percentile, Mean item score and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyses the data collected. The study found that employees' competence, technical knowledge of the firm, macroeconomic environment, and innovation are the major factors that influence the choice of marketing strategy. It was concluded that a firm's employee's knowledge and competencies and technological innovation plays a critical role in the adoption of suitable marketing strategies in the construction industry. In addition, there is agreement among construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their firms. This study adds to the body of knowledge existing on marketing and marketing strategies in construction organizations in Nigeria

Assessment of the Triggers of Inefficient Materials Management Practices by Construction SMEs in Nigeria

Inefficient material management throughout the construction projects value chain has resulted to poor performance especially in terms of time, cost, quality, and productivity. Even well-organised large construction organisations still fall prey to this project performance killer; as adequate attention is not given to material management as a necessary key project management function. Thus, this study assessed the factors that trigger inefficient material management practices by construction SMEs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study utilised a quantitative survey method and convenience sampling technique in the distribution of the structured questionnaire used to gather data from project managers, procurement officers and construction professionals working with the construction SMEs. With a 93.33% response rate, the gathered data were analysed using percentage, frequencies and factor analysis with principal component analysis. It was found that the major triggers of inefficient materials management among construction SMEs are; traditional approach and maintenance issues, manufacturer error and poor planning, inventory management issues, poor handling of procurement, materials estimating problems, storage problems and insecurity, and communication issues. It was concluded that the predominance of these triggers in the management of materials among construction SMEs would result in a continued poor performance of construction projects, especially with regards to project time, cost, quality and productivity. The study recommends a move away from the traditional methods of managing materials and the adoption of a technological-based material management system

Assessment of the Triggers of Inefficient Materials Management Practices by Construction SMEs in Nigeria

Inefficient material management throughout the construction projects value chain has resulted to poor performance especially in terms of time, cost, quality, and productivity. Even well-organised large construction organisations still fall prey to this project performance killer; as adequate attention is not given to material management as a necessary key project management function. Thus, this study assessed the factors that trigger inefficient material management practices by construction SMEs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study utilised a quantitative survey method and convenience sampling technique in the distribution of the structured questionnaire used to gather data from project managers, procurement officers and construction professionals working with the construction SMEs. With a 93.33% response rate, the gathered data were analysed using percentage, frequencies and factor analysis with principal component analysis. It was found that the major triggers of inefficient materials management among construction SMEs are; traditional approach and maintenance issues, manufacturer error and poor planning, inventory management issues, poor handling of procurement, materials estimating problems, storage problems and insecurity, and communication issues. It was concluded that the predominance of these triggers in the management of materials among construction SMEs would result in a continued poor performance of construction projects, especially with regards to project time, cost, quality and productivity. The study recommends a move away from the traditional methods of managing materials and the adoption of a technological-based material management system

Construction 4.0 technologies in a developing economy: awareness, adoption readiness and challenges

Purpose – Construction 4.0 technology is a novel innovative technology that has been proved to enhance project performance. However, information on the concept's awareness, adoption readiness and challenges in developing economies is still scanty. The purpose of the study is to appraise awareness, adoption readiness and challenges of Construction 4.0 technologies in Nigeria to bring to the fore the state of art of these innovative technologies in the study area. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a convenient sampling technique to select 129 construction professionals (architects, engineers and quantity surveyors) in Osun State, Nigeria, who provided data for the study through a closed-ended structure questionnaire survey. The quantitative data supplied were analysed using frequency, percentile, Cronbach's alpha, mean score (MS) analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings – The overall awareness level of construction professionals in the study area about Construction 4.0 technologies is at a moderate level (MS = 3.03). The analysis of each component of the Construction 4.0 technologies shows that BIM (MS = 3.69) has the highest level of awareness, while augmented reality (MS = 2.51) has the least awareness level. More results show a significant difference in the opinion of the respondents, a significant difference in the respondents on 36% of the components of Construction 4.0 technologies. The adoption readiness of the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) to Construction 4.0 technologies is at an initial level (MS = 2.86). However, the 3D printing (MS = 3.36) and augmented reality (MS = 2.49) have the highest and lowest adoption readiness ratings, respectively. There is no significant difference in how respondents ranked the NCI adoption readiness on 73% of the components of Construction 4.0 technologies. The main challenges of Construction 4.0 technologies in the study area are lack of standardisation (MS = 4.02), lack of investment in research and development and cost of implementation (MS = 3.87) each. The result shows that there is perfect unanimity in the way respondents ranked the challenges of Construction 4.0. Practical implications – The study provided information on the status quo of Construction 4.0 technologies in the NCI to enhance improvement in practice and the attendant project delivery. Originality/value – The study attempted to bring to the fore the state of the art on awareness, adoption readiness and challenges of Construction 4.0 technologies in Nigeria. The study's information will be valuable to improve project delivery

Factors determining the marketing strategies of construction firms: construction professionals' perspective

Construction firms are not dedicated to the comprehensive adoption of marketing concepts and strategy, and thus do not enjoy the benefits of profit maximization, client satisfaction and loyalty and improved overall organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is, to assess the perception of construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their construction firms. A questionnaire survey approach was used in the study. The questionnaires were administered to construction professionals within the study area, Frequency, Percentile, Mean item score and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyses the data collected. The study found that employees' competence, technical knowledge of the firm, macroeconomic environment, and innovation are the major factors that influence the choice of marketing strategy. It was concluded that a firm's employee's knowledge and competencies and technological innovation plays a critical role in the adoption of suitable marketing strategies in the construction industry. In addition, there is agreement among construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their firms. This study adds to the body of knowledge existing on marketing and marketing strategies in construction organizations in Nigeria