Roadmap for implementing value management in the Nigerian construction industry

Value management (VM) is an acknowledged technique used to optimise the performance of construction projects in most developed and developing countries. Research and improvement in the use of value-added techniques have continued to gain consideration worldwide as a result of the universal quest to reduce construction projects costs without sacrificing quality and performance of construction ventures. This research focuses on developing a roadmap for implementing VM in the Nigerian construction industry. Accordingly, the objectives of this research are to investigate the current value-added activities, to identify the barriers to VM applications, to identify the critical success factors for VM applications, to examine the relationship between critical success factors and the current value-added activities, and to develop a roadmap for the successful implementation of VM. Quantitative research approach was adopted for the study. A total of 465 questionnaires were distributed to practicing architects, quantity surveyors, builders, civil engineers, and services engineers, and a response rate of 74% was achieved. Data analysis techniques employed include: descriptive analysis using cross-tabulation, mean scores and relative importance index; normality test; reliability test; validity test using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Barlett’s test of sphericity; factor analysis; and structural equation modelling. Findings reveal that although there is no formal implementation of VM in construction projects in Nigeria, at least 3 phases of VM have been adopted in the construction processes. Findings also demonstrate that VM practices in the Nigerian construction industry are hindered by lack of expertise, lack of awareness among clients, poor collaboration among stakeholders, resistance to accept new innovations, inadequate facilitation skills, lack of active involvement of clients and stakeholders, and absence of local VM guidelines. Consequently, drivers including multidisciplinary team, competent facilitators, effective communication among VM participants, ability to conduct VM workshops, commitment of all stakeholders to VM workshop, and support from government agencies would facilitate the successful implementation of VM. The roadmap established from the research results suggests four (4) requirements that necessitate the implementation of VM in the construction industry, namely “peoplerelated factors”, “government-related factors”, “environment-related factors”, and “information/methodology-related factors”. The roadmap was validated by construction experts to confirm its suitability, usefulness, applicability and acceptance, and would form the basis to develop a VM manual or standard for the Nigerian construction industry

Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on Construction Sites in Johor, Malaysia

The construction environment is one of the most dangerous workplaces where several fatal accidents have been recorded. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has therefore been used as a vital protection in ensuring the health and safety of workers on construction sites. A few findings reveal that PPE is usually not worn by construction workers in Malaysia. The purpose of this research was to investigate the awareness and compliance with PPE usage on construction sites in Johor, Malaysia. A mixed-method research approach was adopted for the study. A total of 95 questionnaires were distributed to workers on nine (9) construction sites in Johor with a response rate of 72%. The data analysis method utilised quantitative analysis using mean values, and qualitative analysis using coding of real-time observations. Both quantitative and qualitative methods reveal head, foot, body, and hand PPE as the most commonly used PPE among construction workers on sites in Johor. The findings also reveal a considerable level of awareness but a low level of compliance with the use of PPE by construction workers in Johor as only three (3) PPE out of eight (8) had a compliance level above the average mean of 2.5. Hence, approaches such as provision of safety training and penalties to workers who fail to comply with PPE usage should be implemented to enhance compliance with the use of PPE on construction sites

Compliance with the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on Construction Sites in Johor, Malaysia

The construction environment is one of the most dangerous workplaces where several fatal accidents have been recorded. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has therefore been used as a vital protection in ensuring the health and safety of workers on construction sites. A few findings reveal that PPE is usually not worn by construction workers in Malaysia. The purpose of this research was to investigate the awareness and compliance with PPE usage on construction sites in Johor, Malaysia. A mixed-method research approach was adopted for the study. A total of 95 questionnaires were distributed to workers on nine (9) construction sites in Johor with a response rate of 72%. The data analysis method utilised quantitative analysis using mean values, and qualitative analysis using coding of real-time observations. Both quantitative and qualitative methods reveal head, foot, body, and hand PPE as the most commonly used PPE among construction workers on sites in Johor. The findings also reveal a considerable level of awareness but a low level of compliance with the use of PPE by construction workers in Johor as only three (3) PPE out of eight (8) had a compliance level above the average mean of 2.5. Hence, approaches such as provision of safety training and penalties to workers who fail to comply with PPE usage should be implemented to enhance compliance with the use of PPE on construction sites

BIM in the Malaysian construction industry: a scientometric review and case study

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore existing literature on Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Malaysia and examine the perception of practitioners about the potential of BIM applications in reducing construction waste and enhancing productivity. Design/methodology/approach – First, using 244 bibliographic data extracted from the Scopus database, the paper used scientometric analysis and VOSviewer mapping technique to assess the most impactful publication literature on BIM in Malaysia to identify the existing research gaps. Second, using a structured questionnaire, a total of 100 questionnaires were distributed to practising practitioners who incorporate BIM in the delivery of their projects. Descriptive analysis using cross-tabulation in SPSS software, radar chart, relative importance index and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data. Findings – The research gaps are in the fields of construction projects, buildings, energy efficiency, lifecycle and housing. The findings of the survey indicate that quantity take-off, clash detection, site utilization planning, digital fabrication as well as 4D stimulation were the main BIM applications used among the practitioners in Johor and Selangor. Practical implications – By assessing the state-of-the-art of BIM and BIM applications in this region, the practical implications of this study provide useful insights to construction stakeholders, funding organizations, policymakers, research institutions, professionals, journal editors, reviewers and researchers to understand the overall trend of BIM in Malaysia and its usage. Originality/value – This paper is the first to use science mapping using scientometrics to reveal the current BIM research in “Malaysia only”. Relying on the identified gaps, the study further examined the usage of BIM applications in Malaysian construction projects

Bibliometric analysis, scientometrics and metasynthesis of Internet of Things (IoT) in smart buildings

Purpose: The Internet of Things has made the shift to the digital era possible, even though the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector has not embraced nor integrated it within the core functions compared to other sectors. The need to enhance sustainable construction with the adoption of Internet of Things in this sector cannot be overemphasized. However, the real-world applications of Internet of Things in smart buildings remain relatively unexplored in the AEC sector due to several issues related to deployment and energy-saving potentials. Given these challenges, this paper proposes to identify the present state of development and research in Internet of Things and smart buildings, and identify Internet of Things clusters and applications in smart buildings. Design/methodology/approach: Bibliometric analyses of papers from 2010 to 2023 using the Scopus database and scientometric evaluations using the VosViewer software were undertaken. The proper search keyword was identified by using the phrases “ Internet of Things” and “Smart Building”. A total of 1158 documents in all, written by 3540 different writers, representing 2285 different institutions from 97 different countries were looked at. A metasynthesis was conducted and a system of Internet of Things applications in a smart building is illustrated. Findings: The development of IoT and Smart Buildings is done in two phases: initiation (2010-2012) and development (2013-2023). The IoT clusters comprised internet of things, energy efficiency, intelligent buildings, smart buildings, and automation; while the most commonly used applications were analysed and established. The study also determined the productive journals, documents, authors, and countries. Research limitations/implications: Documents published in the Scopus database from 2010 to 2023 were considered for the bibliometric analysis. Journal articles, conference papers, reviews, books, and book chapters written in English language represent the inclusion criteria, while articles in press, conference reviews, letters, editorials, undefined sources, and all medical and health publications were excluded. Practical implications: The results of this study will be used by construction stakeholders and policymakers to identify key themes and applications in IoT-enabled smart buildings and to guide future research in the policymaking process of asset management. Originality/value: The study utilised bibliometric analysis, scientometrics and metasynthesis to investigate internet of things applications in smart buildings. The study identified internet of things clusters and applications for smart building design and construction. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, bibliometrics, internet of things, network sensors, smart buildings

Effect between trust in communication technology and interorganizational trust in BIM-enabled projects

Building information modeling (BIM) and its associated digital tools have been widely adopted in designing, constructing, and operating infrastructures, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the influence of these communication technologies on the interorganizational trust among project team members is unclear. In this study, BIM and its communication tools were conceptualized based on the perception of trust in communication technology, to examine their influence on interorganizational trust. The effect of trust in communication technology on interorganizational trust was investigated through the mediation of obligatory cooperation and voluntary cooperation. In addition, partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to explore and predict the causal relationships of the model. The results show that trust in communication technology has no direct effect on interorganizational trust, but it positively affects the relationships via the mediation of obligatory cooperation. In comparison, trust in communication technology significantly impacts voluntary cooperation, which does not considerably influence interorganizational trust. Lastly, the findings of this study contribute new knowledge to trust theories for construction teams that use communication technologies to collaborate in BIM-enabled projects, and provide an explanation for the development of trust by communication technologies through improvement of the interorganizational trust in BIM-enabled projects

BIM education in higher learning institutions: a scientometric review and the Malaysia perspective

Over the last decade, digital applications and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been introduced in the construction industry to realize a smart construction ecosystem. However, the construction industry has not completely accepted BIM as a standard, and the concept of using BIM applications in universities has not been thoroughly researched. This paper addresses the first scientometric study of BIM education in universities, identifying the state of BIM education practices, skillsets, and the level of BIM education in universities. The paper used scientometric analysis and the VOSviewer mapping technique to assess the most impactful publication sources with the most important impact on BIM education by searching “BIM Education” and using 250 bibliographic data extracted from the Scopus database from 2011-2020 to identify the existing research gaps and research direction. Second, a structured questionnaire was distributed to 343 Year 2 and Year 3 students from two public and two private Malaysian universities that use BIM in their learning. Descriptive data analysis using cross-tabulation in SPSS and relative importance index (RII) were used to analyze the data. The paper revealed two stages of BIM education research; and identified research gaps in the fields of BIM education, architectural education, e-learning, curriculum and information management. The paper also revealed Revit, Cost X and the Glodon Cubicost software as the most used applications, while the common skillsets are design authoring, modelling, and cost estimation. However, both public and private university students mainly design 3D models at BIM Stage 1. The study recommends that institutions and other stakeholders provide continuous BIM training, purchase BIM software, and integrate BIM into the curriculum of Built Environment higher learning institutions for the next generation to be the generation that uses virtual collaborative platforms

Evaluation of barriers to value management application in construction projects

Value Management (VM) initiatives have been recognized as beneficial to the construction industry of most developed and developing countries. The Society of American Value Engineers (SAVE) has reiterated that the application of VM methodology would enhance the quality and performance of construction projects. Though a number of countries apply the VM technique, a developing country like Nigeria seems to have a limited application. This study therefore evaluates the critical barriers to VM application in the Nigerian construction industry. Data collection was based on self-administered questionnaires from construction professionals, while data analysis techniques employed include: descriptive analysis, normality test; reliability test; validity test using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Barlett’s test of sphericity; factor analysis; and structural equation modelling (SEM). Lack of VM experts, lack of awareness on VM among clients, poor working relationship among stakeholders, inadequate facilitation skills/training, and absence of local VM guidelines are the major barriers to VM practice. Fifteen (15) barriers were validated under four major classifications (People, Government, Environment, and Methodology). The implication of this study is to assist construction practitioners, researchers, and academics to focus on the important concerns that are necessary to support the application of VM in developing countries in order to enhance the value of construction projects

Limitations of using the Revit-BIM software for quantification

As the construction industry evolves, most quantity surveying consultancy firms desire to use computerised take-off for quantification. In practice, the common Building Information Modelling (BIM) authoring software such as Revit has a feature of quantification which allows quantities of building elements to be measured. It is argued that the REVIT application is mainly developed to model a particular facility and its application in quantification is less effective than the BIM-based cost estimating software. The paper aims to empirically examine the limitations of using the Revit in quantification. To achieve the aim, a case study in Taiwan was conducted to compare and investigate the accuracy of measurement by using manual quantification, the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and Revit. A comparison among the three applications was made based on four concrete elements which include floor, beam, wall and column. The findings revealed that although the accuracy of measurement in the three applications is similar, the Revit was essentially designed for building modelling and it could not take care of the interceptions of some building elements such as the interceptions between columns and beams. The Revit software should be enhanced to remedy its limitation, otherwise, BIM-based cost estimating software which is mainly designed for quantification should be used. This study does not intend to replace BIM-based cost estimating software with the BIM design authoring software such as Revit. It is meant to shed light on the limitations of the quantification feature in BIM design authoring software so that actions can be taken by the BIM design authoring vendor and construction industry to improve the quantification process and outcomes

An implementation framework of value management in the Nigerian construction industry

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for value management (VM) implementation by establishing the effect of critical success factors on current construction practices. This will aid stakeholders to improve productivity of construction practices in the Nigerian construction industry. The study established the requirements that ought to be satisfied for VM to successfully enhance productivity of construction activities. Design/methodology/approach: Data collection was based on self-administered questionnaires from 344 registered construction professionals in Nigeria. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data for both descriptive and inferential analyses. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy revealed that the internal consistency of the developed research instrument was appropriate, while the confirmatory factor analysis indicated satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices among acknowledged determinants of the structural model. Findings: A framework that established the requirements for the successful implementation of VM construction practices in the Nigerian construction industry. Originality/value: A structural model validated the requirements of applying VM on current construction practices. The established requirements (environment, people, government and information/methodology) can be used by decision makers and stakeholders to improve productivity of the current construction practices in the Nigerian construction environment. A framework was developed and validated by construction experts to confirm its suitability, usefulness and acceptance