Ayodeji E. Oke

Assessment of facility management practices in public and private buildings in Akure and Ibadan cities, south-western Nigeria

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the facility management (FM) practices in public and private buildings, and compare the practices in both the buildings. This paper critically analysed the current FM practices and explored the range of contributions that the facility manager could offer in both public and private buildings. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of 19 public and 20 private buildings in Ibadan and Akure cities was carried out in this paper. Findings – The paper revealed that the state of FM awareness is higher in private buildings than in public buildings and that FM practices in the two types of buildings are significantly related, but the extent of usage of FM methods are significantly different in the buildings. It was also observed in the research that corrective and responsive FM practices are the order of the day in both public and private buildings. Practical implications – The paper acknowledged that the involvement of the facility manager with the integrated design team if ...

Measures of Project Success

Every project is initially conceived and designed to achieve a specific objective relating to the desire and need of the client. However, owing to various interests of other construction stakeholders, the objectives of the projects become numerous, depending on the views of the participants. These objectives are referred to as measures, factors, methods, criteria, indices, or attributes of project success, performance, or delivery. Generally, the success of construction projects is influenced by various factors. They are classified as project characteristics, contractual arrangements, project participants, or interactive processes. This chapter therefore highlights and explains various measures of project success with a conclusion that sustainability goals encompass every other measure.

Improving Sustainable Construction Practices Through Facility Management

The construction industry is key to the development and economic growth of any country, either developing or developed. The role of the industry in the achievement of infrastructures that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable cannot be over-emphasized. It is therefore necessary for construction industry to continuously pursue sustainable construction projects. This study examines factors influencing the adoption and implementation of sustainable construction goals as well as the impact of facility management in achieving and sustaining the practice in the construction industry. Data were collected through well-structured questionnaires administered on relevant stakeholders that are involved in various activities in the construction industry. The policies and actions which affects the transition of companies towards sustainable construction practices include implementation of sustainable policies in the design stage, waste reduction practices, effective reuse and recycling of materials, utilization of life cycle costing and implementation of facility management principles. To improve sustainable practices in the industry, concerned stakeholders must take into consideration maintenance and running of all facilities, implementation of life cycle costing, training of local construction companies on sustainable methodologies and creating awareness within the industry on benefits associated with sustainable construction. This study has contributed to the body of knowledge by examining the role of facility management in the achievement of sustainable construction, it is therefore recommended that the identified policies and techniques as well as highlighted facility management processes are given consideration by construction stakeholders in their quest to improving performance of construction projects.

Structural equation modelling of construction bond administration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine construction bonds, which is a risk management tool for ensuring that projects are delivered successfully, with emphasis on the influence of stakeholders, project characteristics and bonding decision factors. Design/methodology/approach Using case study of completed public building projects, questionnaires were administered on stakeholders that participated in the projects to solicit information on identified issues. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine relationship among identified factors, and various model selection and validation tests were carried out to arrive at the best-fit model. Findings The final model revealed that type of bond, stakeholders’ influence, project characteristics, risks of bonded projects and bonding decision factors have significant effect on success of bonded construction projects. Of the stakeholders, guarantors and contractors have greater influence on effective administration of bonds. Research limitations/implications The study was limited to Lagos and Ondo states, Nigeria. Data were gathered from clients of public projects, banks and insurance companies (guarantors), as well as contracting, quantity surveying and architectural firms registered with the state governments. This is because of the fact that only such firms can be engaged on projects emanating from the governments. Practical implications To enhance project success, there is a need to adopt construction bond for both public and private projects as against the current practice where it is only mandated for public projects. Originality/value Using SEM, this research examined administration of construction bonds with a view to ascertaining their effects on projects success, thereby providing relevant empirical information for stakeholders for effective administration of construction bond.

Appraisal of factors affecting bidding decisions in Nigeria

Abstract The usual practice in selecting a contractor for a project is through competitive bidding. The decision to bid is a complex activity that requires the consideration of several factors. These factors can be related to capability, time requirement and cost implication. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors related to time and cost performance with a view to examine their effect on bidding decisions. Data was obtained through the use of structured questionnaires from construction professionals in both consulting and contracting firms. The collected data was analysed through percentile and mean ranking. The study revealed the reputation of the client as the most prominent factor related to time performance that affects bidding decisions, while location and condition of the site were identified as the most significant factor related to cost performance that affects bidding decisions. Thus, it is recommended that contractors when taking bidding decisions should place priority on the reputation of the client, the location, and the condition of the site.

Improving Mentoring Relationships of Construction Management Professionals

Mentoring is usually undermined and often mistaken as managing and assigning work to individuals. This study examined various characteristics expected of new (mentees) and experienced construction management professionals (mentors) with a view to equipping the mentees with adequate knowledge and reduce mentoring relationship breakdown. Basic attributes required for the two parties to mentoring as well as basic factors for failure of mentoring relationships were obtained from existing relevant literature materials. Based on this, data were collected using close-ended questionnaires administered on various professionals mentees and mentors that are currently working in the construction industry. For effective mentoring, experienced professionals must be respectful, knowledgeable, honest, energetic, encourage communication, share past experience and possess good positive attitude. For mentees, they must be enthusiastic, willing to learn, respectful, motivated, energetic and be a good listener. Mentoring relationships fail due to various personal, attitudinal and organizational reasons. To improve the relationship, individual opinions should be allowed and respected and conversation should focus on personal beliefs and values. More so, construction organizations, that is, contracting and consulting firms should support mentoring by fostering good relationship among employee by assigning experienced and young professionals to the same task, multi-tasking of the young ones, etc.

Drivers of value management in the Nigerian construction industry

Purpose The paper determined the possible drivers of Value Management (VM) in the construction industry with a view of providing better quality construction and achieving value for money through its usage. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a survey design and construction professionals were conveniently sampled from various strata in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria through the use of a structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentage, mean score and one-samples t-test were used in analysing the data gathered. Findings Result revealed that while the level of knowledge of VM practice is high, the level of its adoption in the industry is on the average, and the involvement of construction professionals in VM workshops is low. The drivers that can aid its adoption are; government involvement through the introduction of VM policy, client’s commitment, and proper understanding of VM methodology. Practical implications This research was conducted across the six geo-political zones of the country as against common practice of selecting a particular region or states to represent the entire country. The findings therefore show a true reflection of the drivers of VM in the country and its recommendations can to a large extent increase the use of VM in the country and also other developing countries where construction projects are executed through similar method, style and approach. Originality/value The paper highlights the possible ways of increasing the use of VM in the construction industry with a view to achieving better quality construction and value for money.

SWOT analysis of indigenous and foreign contractors in a developing economy

Purpose The call for more engagement of local contractors has been gaining support by construction stakeholders especially as a result of the recent economy recession in Nigeria. However, due to the increasing complexity of the construction industry and technological advancement, the influx and engagement of foreign contractors has been on the increase and their contribution is also germane to the economy development of the country. In view of this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of indigenous and foreign contractors in the country with a view to understanding their differences in the quest of improving their service delivery. Design/methodology/approach A case study research was carried out through the use of interview and questionnaire administered on management staff and professionals in selected construction firms, respectively. In order to obtain a balance view of the subject, professionals from construction consultancy firms selected through Delphi method were also included in the study and sampled accordingly. Appropriate statistical tools were employed in analysing the data gathered and result was presented with the aid of a SWOT template. Findings Findings of the research show that foreign contractors have better strengths than their indigenous counterparts, and this has made them gain better expertise. Also, they enjoyed more opportunities than the threats they are faced with, but the reverse is the case for indigenous contractors. Originality/value There is a need for the two categories of contractors to identify their SWOT as indicated in this study and leverage their strengths, correct their weaknesses, capitalise on golden opportunities and avoid potentially devastating threats to enhance their effectiveness and success in the industry.

Construction Professionals Perception of Solid Waste Management in the South African Construction Industry

Proper management of the excess waste generated by the construction industry can lead to effective usage of same, and reduction in the pressure on the limited available earth resources consumed by the industry. This study presents the result of an assessment of the solid waste management (SWM) systems in the South African construction industry from the view point of construction professionals using a questionnaire survey. Data gathered were analyzed using appropriate descriptive statistics. Result reveals that construction professionals view SWM in the industry as the; re-use of waste, recycling of waste instead of dumping them at landfills, reduction of waste at source to lessens the cost of transportation and disposal, and the use of prefabricated components as a form of waste reduction. The major challenges of SWM in the industry include; inadequate formulation and application of policies, viewing implementation to be costly, and lack of mandatory waste management guidelines.

Barriers of Building Maintenance in Private Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Maintenance of educational buildings is crucial if quality and sustainable education is to be delivered. However, while studies have emanated as regards maintenance issues of public educational buildings in Nigeria, there seem to be a deficiency in literature as regards maintenance happenings within the private tertiary institutions. This paper therefore presents the findings of the assessment of the barriers of building maintenance in private tertiary institutions in the country. The study adopted a quantitative approach and information were harnessed from maintenance officers and construction professionals within two private tertiary institutions. Data gathered were analyzed using percentage, mean score, standard deviation, and factor analysis. Findings revealed that the maintenance units of these institutions are characterized by inexperienced staffs, while the most used maintenance approach is the corrective maintenance. The factors affecting building maintenance are mostly; building design and usage factors, policy and management factors, and human resources and funding factors.