Dolapo Amole

Residential Satisfaction and Levels of Environment in Students’ Residences

This study investigates the relationship between residential satisfaction and levels of the residential environment. Specifically, it identifies the levels of environment to which users respond in relation to satisfaction, how significant satisfaction is across levels of environment, and the dimensions of satisfaction across the levels. The study uses data collected from 1,124 students in 20 residence halls in four Nigerian universities. Responses to 49 satisfaction items about various attributes of the residence halls are subjected to factor analysis. Three levels of environment, namely, the bedroom, the floor, and the hall emerge from the analysis, and satisfaction is significantly different across these levels. Although the experience of satisfaction is different, separate, and hierarchical at the different levels of environment, the users respond to similar dimensions of satisfaction at each level. The implications of these results are also discussed.

Coping Strategies for Living in Student Residential Facilities in Nigeria.

This article examines coping strategies used by students in high-density living. It uses the questionnaire survey method in 20 university halls-of-residence in southwestern Nigeria. The study focused on students’ cognitive responses to the bedroom, the coping strategies that they used, gender differences in coping styles, and the influence of their length of stay. The results showed that the respondents perceived living conditions as stressful and that they used nine coping strategies to various degrees. The types of strategies used were related to their responses and to their perceived alternatives. The major coping strategies used were studying away from the room and decorating personal space. Females appeared to make more use of territorial strategies whereas males appeared to use withdrawal strategies more often. Length of stay did not appear to be important except with respect to studying and entertaining friends. Finally, territorial defining strategies were shown to be critical in this high-density situation.

Characteristics of Global Architectural Firms

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to investigate the factors which discriminate between local and global architectural firms in Nigeria. The rationale was to examine how the globalization process differs in Nigeria and contribute to the discourse on globalization.Design/methodology/approach – The research is quantitative, using discriminant analysis to differentiate the global architectural firms from the local ones. The study used a random sample of 92 architectural firms in Nigeria, examining various characteristics of the firms through a questionnaire.Findings – There was a strong distinction between global and local firms. Compared to the local architectural firms, the global firms were larger, and mostly run by sole principals who were more experienced. The internet was used more to communicate with other professionals, but less to communicate with clients and in designing and drafting. The global firms also placed higher value on developing expertise in specific building types.Research limitations/...

Satisfaction of first-time residential clients with architectural services

Purpose – The aim of this study was to investigate the factors which define and predict the satisfaction of first-time residential clients of architects in Nigeria using Lagos as a case study. Design/methodology/approach – The study was based on the notion that satisfaction of first-time residential clients with architectural services is a combination of satisfaction with service, design and relationship qualities as well as reputation of the architect. A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected first-time residential clients of architects in the study area was conducted using pre-tested questionnaire as the principal data gathering instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor and regression analyses. Findings – Of the seven factors identified, the factors which best define the satisfaction of the first-time residential clients were personalization of service, reliability of, confidence inspired by and personality of the architect. The best predictors of the satisfaction of the f...