Building (Quantity Surveying programme

The high cost and environmental and health hazards attributed to conventional building materials, coupled with the adverse effect of massive exploitation of forest resources for construction purposes, have necessitated the search for alternative construction materials that are eco-friendly, sustainable, economical and socially acceptable. This study aims to explore the acceptability and use of innovative bamboo products for residential building construction in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty-two survey questionnaires were distributed to built environment professionals within the Lagos region using the convenience sampling technique. The results show a likely disposition to the use of innovative bamboo products for building construction, except for roof beams and trusses, wall beams and columns, and composite roofing sheets. Major barriers to the acceptability and use of bamboo for construction include lack of knowledge about bamboo connections and detailing; the absence of governmental policy on bamboo as an alternative construction material; the absence of design standards for bamboo products; and poor public perception of the use of bamboo in building construction. The value of this study is that it provides an excellent platform for further research on the optimization of bamboo for construction, which will boost economic activities, reduce capital flight for the importation of machinery and the constituents of conventional building materials, and enhance the country's GDP.

Curriculum design for project management education of construction industry professionals must reflect the industry needs and the expectations of the professionals. The Department of Building has observed the need for project management education and has developed a programme to meet the need. How has the curriculum development met the expectations and the industry needs of the project managers in training? This paper examines how the project management education curriculum design has met the industry needs of the practitioners who participated in the programme. Questionnaires were administered to a population of 90 construction professionals in training, out of which 64 responses were collected representing 71% of the population. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean item score and Spearman's Rank Correlation. The study shows that there is positive correlation between the industry expectation and trainees' expectation. However, there is no correlation between the industry expectation and trainee exposure. There is also no correlation between training exposure and the trainees' expectation. The study further suggests the need for curriculum review along the project management body of knowledge standard in order to match the training exposure with the expectations of the professionals

Site managers need to be kept abreast of the challenges of ever-changing construction technology, knowledge ideology, management techniques, dynamic nature of construction site works and this requires training and retraining. The aim of this paper is to examine and evaluate the specific training needs of construction site managers handling selected construction projects in Lagos State of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect information on construction site managers in Lagos State. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean score, weighted average, and t-test distribution. The result of the study revealed that there is common agreement that training of site managers should address human and industrial relations, building production and project management, then communication skills and computing. The paper concludes with recommendation to establish training institutes to take up the managerial training addressing the skill shortages of site managers to enhance efficiency in the construction industry. Field visit with site managers on weekend basis should be considered as the most effective method of training.

Quantity Surveying (QS) appears to be one of the few professions that have not been profoundly transformed by the application of the technological advancement offered by digital revolution especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. The paper examines the extent to which the Nigerian quantity surveyors (NQS) have been moving with the times of information technology. The aim is to discover the challenges faced by the professionals by examining the factors affecting the use and adoption of computer in a dynamic world of explosive growth of the information and communication technology (ICT). The study adopted a survey design methodology. It was observed that there was increasing yearly rate of adoption of computer in QS services, particularly among those QSs in their mid-career years. About 89% of the quantity surveyors have been using computer for project cost management services (PCMS). Almost all the respondents are performing word processing functions using computers while the...

E-tendering is a veritable tool for increasing productivity and empowering construction industry professionals to take better control of the tendering process. However, despite the administrative and managerial benefits obtainable by the adoption of e-tendering, the challenges and associated risks are rife. Thus, this study set out to assess the state of the art of e-tendering in the Nigerian construction industry. Using a cross- sectional survey type of research design, data was sought from quantity surveyors, architects, engineers and contractors in the industry. The results of this survey report an elementary level of knowledge about e-tendering among Nigerian construction industry professionals. There is a general lack of basic facilities necessary for the process coupled with a low level of proficiency in its usage. Irregular power supply, financial implications of putting up e-tendering infrastructure and poor telecommunications infrastructure rank highest among factors Legal ...

Site managers need to be kept abreast of the challenges of ever-changing construction technology, knowledge ideology, management techniques, dynamic nature of construction site works and this requires training and retraining. The aim of this paper is to examine and evaluate the specific training needs of construction site managers handling selected construction projects in Lagos State of Nigeria. A structured questionnaire survey was used to collect information on construction site managers in Lagos State. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean score, weighted average, and t-test distribution. The result of the study revealed that there is common agreement that training of site managers should address human and industrial relations, building production and project management, then communication skills and computing. The paper concludes with recommendation to establish training institutes to take up the managerial training addressing the skill shortages of site managers to enhance efficiency in the construction industry. Field visit with site managers on weekend basis should be considered as the most effective method of training.

The research assessed the magnitude of transaction costs incurred by contractors with respect to eligibility papers, contract administration and process costs of bidding expenditures. Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select participants from building companies from two hundred and thirty (230) contractors in chosen North-West states registered in the contractors ' database of the Bureau of Public Procurement, who are deemed to engage in any federal tendering process as participants. Different participants submitted two hundred (200) questionnaires. Modelling of structural equations has been used to evaluate the information from the participants. Results show an important connection existed between the eligibility documents, the process of bidding expenditures, contract administration costs, and the models of procurement guides (PPA 2007). This shows that, when bidding projects, the Transaction Costs (TCs) incurred by contracting companies are between 5-1...

AEC Industry educators occupy are major players in the adoption of ICT in the construction industry. The usage of and proficiency in industry specific package by construction educators is bound to exert multiplier effect on teaching and research. This study attempts to examine the access, to and use of ICT facilities, by individuals and institutions, the training and proficiency levels of the educators. The study employed a survey research design, drawing a stratified random sample from Nigerian educational institutions, offering construction education. It was discovered that majority of the educators did not receive formal ICT training as institutional support appears to be weak. Their level of proficiency was very low for industry-core-IT packages, whereas there was a high level of proficiency in computer based communication media. There is need therefore for high-level institutional support and programme of training the educators (TTE) towards the capacity development of the AEC ...

SUMMARY: E-tendering is a veritable tool for increasing productivity and empowering construction industry professionals to take better control of the tendering process. However, despite the administrative and managerial benefits obtainable by the adoption of e-tendering, the challenges and associated risks are rife. Thus, this study set out to assess the state of the art of e-tendering in the Nigerian construction industry. Using a cross- sectional survey type of research design, data was sought from quantity surveyors, architects, engineers and contractors in the industry. The results of this survey report an elementary level of knowledge about e-tendering among Nigerian construction industry professionals. There is a general lack of basic facilities necessary for the process coupled with a low level of proficiency in its usage. Irregular power supply, financial implications of putting up e-tendering infrastructure and poor telecommunications infrastructure rank highest among facto...

Deciding the most capable amongst the range of construction professional(s), by virtue of their knowledge, skills and abilities to offer project management services, has become topical in Nigeria. This study therefore undertakes a competency analyses approach to determine which of the construction professions has the greatest potential for project management service delivery. Questionnaire survey of project owners and constructors' opinions provided data for the analyses. These were analysed using mean item score (MIS) method. The results revealed that Quantity Surveyors have the highest potential for project management service delivery because of their abilities to meet project objectives; while Civil Engineers, Builders, Estate Surveyors and Architects follow in this order respectively. Quantity Surveyors were better suited for this role because of their training and competencies. The paper recommends the acquisition of knowledge in legal issues, risk analysis and quality cont...

Procurement of goods and services is critical in the implementation of government policies in any economy. Public procurement act 2007 has improved value for money to all government agencies in the procurement of goods and services since it enactment. However, the challenges in the implementation are capable of impeding the implementation of other government policies. In the context of governance, social and administrative dynamics, the challenges of implementation of the PPA 2007 requires investigation. Additionally, how these challenges impact on the implementation of government policies requires ongoing research attention. The answer to these research question are necessary for government to evolve proactive laws, set up regulatory mechanisms to avoid conflict between enabling laws and government intentions as enshrined in government policies. Survey research design was employ to obtain data, using questionnaire distributed to procuring entities in two NorthWestern states of Nigeria (Sokoto and Kebbi). The data collected was analyzed using multiattribute techniques, ANOVA and Scheffe Post Hoc Test. This study identifies thirty five (35) different challenges within four groups (4) each having various degree of impact on government implementation policies. These are implementation, knowledge and research, compliance and monitoring challenges respectively. The paper concludes that attention should be given to the relative levels of impacts of the identified challenges. By this an effective and viable economic developmental project will be achieved by the federal government when implementing the annual capital appropriation and other procurement activities. That is being considered to be among the core objectives of the enactment of the Act. Furthermore, the paper recommends flexibility of the Act with respect to timing of the procurement deliverables and strict compliance by federal government and other relevant stakeholders concerned.

The costs of transaction construction projects for contractors in public organization have been considered a necessary measure for the sustainability of contracting business. Studies on factors affecting owners and contractors transaction costs have used various techniques and methods to explain the relationships between particular variables. Unexpectedly, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) has acquired very little concern in factors affecting contractors transaction costs studies. To address this limitation in the body of knowledge, the objective of this study was to apply the SEM approach and build a model that explained and identified the critical factors affecting transaction costs of contractors in bidding public sector organization projects. The study developed a quantitative approach using smart-PLS version 3.2.8. This study shed light on the views of different contracting firms' based on their experience in bidding public construction projects in Nigeria. Particularly, the study aimed to findout the relationships between eligibility documents, method of securing documents, and contract administration factors, and how these relate to transaction costs of contractors'. The findings of this study revealed that the R 2 value of the model was scored at 0.358, which meant that the three exogenous latent constructs collectively explained 35.8% of the variance in transaction costs. The Goodness-of-Fit of the model was 0.932. The eligibility document costs factor was the most important out of the three constructs. This study confirming that appropriate plans and costs control management methods as well as necessary amendment of the Act can be employ to insure minimal costs of bidding public sector projects. These findings might map out critical areas to pay attention for a new contracting firms and public organization on costs related problems that might occur in their transactions.

The research assessed the magnitude of transaction costs incurred by contractors with respect to eligibility papers, contract administration and process costs of bidding expenditures. Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to select participants from building companies from two hundred and thirty (230) contractors in chosen North-West states registered in the contractors ' database of the Bureau of Public Procurement, who are deemed to engage in any federal tendering process as participants. Different participants submitted two hundred (200) questionnaires. Modelling of structural equations has been used to evaluate the information from the participants. Results show an important connection existed between the eligibility documents, the process of bidding expenditures, contract administration costs, and the models of procurement guides (PPA 2007). This shows that, when bidding projects, the Transaction Costs (TCs) incurred by contracting companies are between 5-1...

E-tendering is a veritable tool for increasing productivity and empowering construction industry professionals to take better control of the tendering process. However, despite the administrative and managerial benefits obtainable by the adoption of e-tendering, the challenges and associated risks are rife. Thus, this study set out to assess the state of the art of e-tendering in the Nigerian construction industry. Using a cross-sectional survey type of research design, data was sought from quantity surveyors, architects, engineers and contractors in the industry. The results of this survey report an elementary level of knowledge about etendering among Nigerian construction industry professionals. There is a general lack of basic facilities necessary for the process coupled with a low level of proficiency in its usage. Irregular power supply, financial implications of putting up e-tendering infrastructure and poor telecommunications infrastructure rank highest among factors Legal backing for electronic transactions in Nigeria is also deficient. Government effort at creation of better exchange portals and improvement of existing e-tendering portals was found to be inadequate. However, despite the ambivalent disposition of industry professionals towards e-tendering, the prospect of its adoption in the Nigerian construction industry by construction industry professionals is still high as evidenced by the results of this research.

Quantity Surveying (QS) appears to be one of the few professions that have not been profoundly transformed by the application of the technological advancement offered by digital revolution especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. The paper examines the extent to which the Nigerian quantity surveyors (NQS) have been moving with the times of information technology. The aim is to discover the challenges faced by the professionals by examining the factors affecting the use and adoption of computer in a dynamic world of explosive growth of the information and communication technology (ICT). The study adopted a survey design methodology. It was observed that there was increasing yearly rate of adoption of computer in QS services, particularly among those QSs in their mid-career years. About 89% of the quantity surveyors have been using computer for project cost management services (PCMS). Almost all the respondents are performing word processing functions using computers while the proficiency level is indicated to be high in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word. About 44% of the respondents carried out spread functions using computer while about 45% wished to perform spreadsheet functions with computer. QSs' attempt to computerize their services has been more of technology driven than process driven. Four elements of cost that were rated to be high with respect to income of the QSs are cost of original software, cost of branded hardware, cost of infrastructures to support computerization and cost of support services by computer professionals.

Curriculum design for project management education of construction industry professionals must reflect the industry needs and the expectations of the professionals. The Department of Building has observed the need for project management education and has developed a programme to meet the need. How has the curriculum development met the expectations and the industry needs of the project managers in training? This paper examines how the project management education curriculum design has met the industry needs of the practitioners who participated in the programme. Questionnaires were administered to a population of 90 construction professionals in training, out of which 64 responses were collected representing 71% of the population. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean item score and Spearman's Rank Correlation. The study shows that there is positive correlation between the industry expectation and trainees' expectation. However, there is no correlation between the industry expectation and trainee exposure. There is also no correlation between training exposure and the trainees' expectation. The study further suggests the need for curriculum review along the project management body of knowledge standard in order to match the training exposure with the expectations of the professionals

The high cost and environmental and health hazards attributed to conventional building materials, coupled with the adverse effect of massive exploitation of forest resources for construction purposes, have necessitated the search for alternative construction materials that are eco-friendly, sustainable, economical and socially acceptable. This study aims to explore the acceptability and use of innovative bamboo products for residential building construction in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty-two survey questionnaires were distributed to built environment professionals within the Lagos region using the convenience sampling technique. The results show a likely disposition to the use of innovative bamboo products for building construction, except for roof beams and trusses, wall beams and columns, and composite roofing sheets. Major barriers to the acceptability and use of bamboo for construction include lack of knowledge about bamboo connections and detailing; the absence of governmental policy on bamboo as an alternative construction material; the absence of design standards for bamboo products; and poor public perception of the use of bamboo in building construction. The value of this study is that it provides an excellent platform for further research on the optimization of bamboo for construction, which will boost economic activities, reduce capital flight for the importation of machinery and the constituents of conventional building materials, and enhance the country's GDP.

AEC Industry educators occupy are major players in the adoption of ICT in the construction industry. The usage of and proficiency in industry specific package by construction educators is bound to exert multiplier effect on teaching and research. This study attempts to examine the access, to and use of ICT facilities, by individuals and institutions, the training and proficiency levels of the educators. The study employed a survey research design, drawing a stratified random sample from Nigerian educational institutions, offering construction education. It was discovered that majority of the educators did not receive formal ICT training as institutional support appears to be weak. Their level of proficiency was very low for industry-core-IT packages, whereas there was a high level of proficiency in computer based communication media. There is need therefore for high-level institutional support and programme of training the educators (TTE) towards the capacity development of the AEC ...