SKILLED LABOR CHALLENGES AND AUTOMATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The construction industry remains one of the most labor-intensive industries worldwide, creating an average gross domestic product (GDP) of 8% for the global economy and helping reduce unemployment. However, the last few years have brought a plague of skilled labor shortage and retirement, the most recent pandemic also playing a part in hastening retirement due to the present age cohort (baby boomers). Therefore, the need to begin to source viable alternatives to mitigate these issues that could be catastrophic is critical. One possible option is automation, but the industry remains lethargic toward innovation adoption and its use. Past and present challenges should determine alternatives given evidence of success recorded from the application of technology for processes in other industries and some aspects in construction. This study aims to investigate occupations with the most shortage and the impact of retirement approaching 2023 while promoting research information about automation adoption and use as a viable alternative. The study utilized data from the bureau of labor statistics and a systematic review of literature to encapsulate the weight of these issues for the construction industry. The findings demonstrate a similar trend among the 15 occupations and total employment in the construction industry as it relates to increases and dips from 2007 to 2021. Most occupations experience labor shortages at the same pace; hence, automation has been adjudged a vital solution not only to help mitigate shortage and retirement issues but improve performance in the construction industry accordingly

An analysis of social media marketing of indigenous construction firms in Nigeria: A tool for sustainable growth

Indigenous construction firms in Nigeria operate in one of the harshest economic climates while competing with their foreign counterparts. ICFs require strategic and innovative marketing skills in selling their products and services to current and prospective clients. The paper examined the use of social media marketing strategies by indigenous construction firms in Nigeria; a tool for sustainable growth. The study used quantitative data through a questionnaire survey instrument at company-level. A total of seventy-nine (79) questionnaires at firm level were utilised. The data collected were presented using stacked bars, radar charts and matrix correlation. The study identified the social media platforms mostly utilised by ICFs and the major barriers resisting the adoption of the innovative marketing strategy in Nigeria. The perceived benefits accrued to ICFs in the use of social media as a marketing tool differs across the type of social media platforms in use by the ICFs. ICFs need to be concerned about image and trust building through a concerted effort in client engagement on social media platforms to improve their brand and reputation. Social media marketing strategies should be integrated with the traditional marketing plans of construction fir

ANDROID-BASED ESTIMATING APP FOR BUILDERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES

The discrepancies between the estimated quantities of building materials and the final quantities used during the construction process requires the need to use more accurate techniques in estimating building materials. The study aimed at developing an android-based estimating app for builders on construction sites with the view of increasing accuracy of estimated building materials. The study was carried out in two stages, whereby one part required a survey to ascertain existing practices while the other helped to develop the android application. A survey research design was utilized on Builders in Lagos state in the south-west of Nigeria. Mean scores and correlation matrix was used for the descriptive and inferential statistics. For the design of the android estimation application for Builders, an android studio and Java programming language was used in developing the app. The developed android app was run via the android emulator. The descriptive data revealed that most of the techniques presently used by builders in estimating building materials were traditional methods which were drawn from either manual-based or use of experiential knowledge. Using these techniques were hinged on several factors as identified in the study. An android-based estimating app was developed for Builders with the aim of estimating for concrete works, sandcrete blocks, ceramic tiles and mortar during the construction process. The study recommended the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in obtaining accurate building quantities needed during the construction process

Built Environment Professionals' Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Building Control Measures in Lagos State

Due to the alarming rate of building collapse, this study assesses building control practices in Lagos state. It examines the effectiveness of building control practices, and it also identifies the factors limiting the capacity of building control practices. To achieve these objectives, quantitative techniques were used in which 61 questionnaires were distributed to selected professionals from contracting firms within the built environment. The sample was selected using the purposive sampling technique. The data collected were processed using mean item score, percentage and ANOVA. The study revealed that not all building control measures were thoroughly observed. It was discovered from the findings that, aside from the measure of processing and scrutinising the building plans for approval, which was duly observed, no other measures were observed, and they are all equally significant. The study also identifies factors that impede adherence to building control practices, such as corruption and the bureaucratic process, which were ranked highest. Hypothesis testing revealed that there is no significant difference among the professionals in their perception of the effectiveness of building control practices. In conclusion, this study recommends regular auditing of the activities of building control agencies due to the prevalence of corruption cases among their members

Evaluation of Drivers and Barriers to Vertical Architecture Construction for Public Housing Delivery in Lagos Megacity

From a population of over 16 million, the people of Lagos State is expected to grow to 32.6 million citizens by 2050. Considering that its landmass remains relatively constant at 3577 Km2, there is an urgent need to innovate in the public housing. This study was aimed at evaluating the drivers and barriers to vertical architecture construction for public housing delivery in Lagos megacity. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design using a questionnaire instrument. A total of 150 construction professionals were selected using a quota-purposive sampling technique within Lagos megacity. Statistical tools of mean score tests, principal component analysis (PCA), and categorical regression (CAT-REG) were utilized. Significant drivers and barriers of vertical architecture construction in public housing delivery in Lagos megacity were identified. Therefore, the study made several recommendations toward actualization of vertical architecture construction for public housing delivery

Entrepreneurial Opportunities in the Production of Building Materials

An aspect of an operational nation building would be a country that has a sustainable construction industry whereby it is self-sufficient in the production of its building materials, but that is not the case. The aim of this study was to assess the entrepreneurial opportunities in the production of Building materials. A literature review approach and desk study using secondary data of net income (Profit after tax) during the period 2010 – 2014 of eight (8) building materials companies, publicly listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) were used for the study. From the study, it is evident that there are entrepreneurial prospects in the Housing and infrastructural needs, Maintenance and repairs, need for quality building materials to avoid Building collapse. These entrepreneurial opportunities gives room for huge production of Building materials such as cement, paint, tiles and steel reinforcement. In conclusion, there is a dire need for investment in the production of building materials locally rather than the heavy reliance on importation. In this exasperating times when oil prices have dwindled, the study calls for diversification to other sector. It was recommended that internally and international short term loan acquisition schemes supported by the federal government should be made available to entrepreneurs in production of building materials. Allied facilities such as improved power sector and material protection policy on imported building materials should be fast tracke

CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS’ PERCEPTION OF A WEB-BASED RECRUITING SYSTEM FOR SKILLED LABOUR

Globally, the construction industry is experiencing shortage of skilled labour to handle most of its construction projects. There is the need to develop a two-way collaborative technology that adequately connects the available skilled labour to the construction projects where they are needed and vice versa in order to reduce the shortage. By harnessing the strength of web-based technologies, this study intended to evaluate construction professionals’ perception of a web-based recruiting system for skilled labour. The study developed a web-based recruiting system using CSS, HTML, Javascript and MyQSL. System block design and a use case diagram was used to model the web-based systems which are presented in screen shots in this study. A total of one hundred (100) structured questionnaires were distributed to construction professionals in the attitudinal survey on the developed web-based system. The data obtained was analysed and presented using SPSS v21. Statistical tools such as stacked bars, mean score, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskall Wallis test were utilized. Based on the designed web-based platform, the study revealed that in recruiting skilled labour for construction projects, construction professional are mostly concerned with having the sufficient number of skilled labour which are readily available to the site location, properly screened and obtained through a low-cost recruiting process in order to improve their competitive advantage in the construction industry. The study identified lack of knowledge about using a web-based system, low IT training among skilled labour and inaccurate information supplied by worker as major drawbacks to using a web-based system for sourcing for skilled labour. The study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the drawbacks to the use of web-based recruiting system for sourcing for skilled labour among the construction professionals. The study recommended that there is need to increase ICT trainings among construction professionals and its ancillary stakeholders in order to utilize new innovative ICT tools in the construction industry. Innovative ICT tools can be used to complement traditional methods in use in the construction industry so as to enhance the delivery of construction projects

Building production management practice in the construction industry in Nigeria

Growing demands for building projects result from economic development. The building industry is dynamic and multifaceted. Efficient and effective practice of building production management (BPM) is required to successfully execute projects and achieve project goals upon completion as well as functionality aims for the lifespan of a building. This research aims to determine factors that influence the BPM practice in the Nigerian construction industry, particularly; during the project execution phase. A cross-sectional survey used; a questionnaire to identify 73 factors, which were grouped into 12 categories and assessed. A purposive sampling technique was used to identify 20 construction organisations specialising in building production management in Lagos, Nigeria. 114 questionnaires were distributed to the pool of stakeholders, which included 31 clients, 34 consultants and 49 contractors of current and past building production projects carried out by the selected firms in Lagos. The research used a selection of statistical tools for SPSS v.23, including the chi-square test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The obtained result revealed the factors that mostly influence the BPM practice namely, architectural drawings, the construction programme document, the work breakdown structure, the adequacy of communication and coordination between the parties, the adequacy of raw materials and equipment, the availability of the competent team, the implementation of the safety management system, regular maintenance of project equipment, clear and timely inspections, the availability of funds as planned throughout the project duration, the availability of skilled personnel, and the aesthetics of the completed work. The research resulted in the development of the BPM implementation framework and recommendations for the improvement of the BPM practice in Nigeria

An analysis of social media marketing of indigenous construction firms in Nigeria: A tool for sustainable growth

Indigenous construction firms in Nigeria operate in one of the harshest economic climates while competing with their foreign counterparts. ICFs require strategic and innovative marketing skills in selling their products and services to current and prospective clients. The paper examined the use of social media marketing strategies by indigenous construction firms in Nigeria; a tool for sustainable growth. The study used quantitative data through a questionnaire survey instrument at company-level. A total of seventy-nine (79) questionnaires at firm level were utilised. The data collected were presented using stacked bars, radar charts and matrix correlation. The study identified the social media platforms mostly utilised by ICFs and the major barriers resisting the adoption of the innovative marketing strategy in Nigeria. The perceived benefits accrued to ICFs in the use of social media as a marketing tool differs across the type of social media platforms in use by the ICFs. ICFs need to be concerned about image and trust building through a concerted effort in client engagement on social media platforms to improve their brand and reputation. Social media marketing strategies should be integrated with the traditional marketing plans of construction firm