Stephen Olubodunwa Ogunlana

Construction professionals' perception of critical success factors for large‐scale construction projects

Purpose – Large‐scale construction projects pose several challenges for successful completion. There seems to be no general agreement among researchers on what are the critical success factors (CSFs) on construction projects. Success factors vary across various projects, let alone countries. This paper attempts to elicit the perception of construction professionals on CSFs appertaining to large‐scale construction projects in Thailand.Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire surveys and interviews were conducted with project managers, deputy project managers, and line managers to gather their perception on CSFs.Findings – Results of 76 questionnaire surveys and 35 interviews revealed that factors related to project planning and control, project personnel, and involvement of client were perceived to be critical for the success of large‐scale construction projects in Thailand. Participants also showed their high concern for sufficient resources, adequate communication, mutual understanding of stakeholders...

Analysis of risks associated with facilities management outsourcing

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to analyse the risk factors associated with outsourcing of facilities management (FM) services.Design/methodology/approach – The study administered questionnaires on 146 registered members of International Facilities Management Association (IFMA), Nigeria chapter, who carry out their professional practice in Lagos, Nigeria. The survey, conducted in February, 2011 targeted facilities managers, property managers, maintenance officers and procurement officers cutting across the three levels of management. A total of 61 of them returned valid questionnaires, giving a response rate of 41.8 percent.Findings – Findings reveal that “poor quality of services” was rated the most critical risk factor associated with facilities management outsourcing, while “security” and “inexperience” closely followed in that order. Also, there was no significant difference in the rankings of the stakeholders on more than 75 percent of the factors.Research limitations/implications – Most pract...

Leadership skills and competencies for cross-cultural construction projects

Cross-cultural projects are increasingly common in construction. Project leaders need to develop skills and competencies that can help them to effectively perform their leadership roles in such projects. In order to examine the leadership competencies and skills required to lead projects in a multicultural environment, questionnaire surveys and interviews were conducted with project leaders on a mega construction project in Thailand. A total of 78 respondents from ten different nationalities participated in the study. They belonged to various construction stakeholders such as clients, consultants, designers and contractors. Leadership competencies such as communication, teamwork, and personal and interpersonal skills were perceived to be vital for project leaders in a multicultural environment. Flexibility in decision making, persistent performance, good listening skills and problem-solving style were also highlighted among the top-rated competencies of cross-cultural leaders. In order to develop cross-cultural leadership competencies, the respondents emphasised comprehensive training and orientation as well as inclusion of cross-cultural leadership courses at graduate-level programmes in universities.

Conflict dynamics in a dam construction project: a case study

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a model for a comprehensive and integrated approach to managing interface conflict from the early stages of a dam construction project.Design/methodology/approach – A case study methodology is adopted. Following comprehensive literature review, qualitative data were gathered from case studies through interviews conducted on the Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project (MMHEP) dam project in Nepal. Causal loop diagrams on the typical evolution of key indicators of interface conflict were then developed and a simulate‐able model of interface conflict was derived using system dynamic modeling technique. The model was then simulated to derive viable policies for future management of dam construction projects in developing countries.Findings – The study reveals that interface conflicts at the construction stage of projects are caused mainly by lack of effective Environmental Impact Assessment, public participation and mutual consultation, on timely basis and acc...

Structural equation model for analysing critical risks associated with facilities management outsourcing and its impact on firm performance

Purpose – This study aimed to develop and empirically test a structural equation model for investigating risk factors associated with outsourcing of facilities management (FM) services and its impact on firm performance (FP). Design/methodology/approach – Using data derived from an earlier study, a conceptual model was hypothesized and empirically tested to clarify causal relationships between risk variables and how they influence FP. Findings – Supported by empirical evidence, the study established that only vendor risk variables have marginal impact on FP. There were however significant positive relationship between vendor risks factors and relationship risk factors, client based factors (CBF) and relationship risk factors, client based risks and vendor related risks, and contract risks factors and relationship risk. Practical implications – The final structural equation model has revealed key risk components that would require standard mitigation measures in order to achieve outsourcing success in the ...

Stakeholders’ expectations in utilising financial models for public-private partnership projects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholders’ expectations in utilising PPP financial models in order to ensure that each stakeholder understands the expectations of others before negotiating and reaching contract agreement by all the stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – Five common sets of 40 expectations have been identified through a systematic research approach, and their relative significances were verified based on pilot studies in India and the UK and expert opinion solicited worldwide through a structured questionnaire survey. The survey responses were evaluated by using statistical analyses. Findings – The most important stakeholders’ expectations in utilising PPP financial models were identified at five different stages in a project. They are bankable (at the pre-proposal stage), assessment of projects ability to carry senior debt (at the contract negotiation stage), sensitivity analysis for key commercial issues (at the finance-raising stage), debt service evaluation t...

An Evaluation of Personnel Training Policies of Construction Companies in Nigeria

Abstract Construction companies are the engines that propel the construction sector of any nation’s economy, and are therefore expected to vigorously train their workforce to effectively match this responsibility. This study investigates the personnel training policies of construction companies in Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from two categories of respondents namely, the technical and managerial personnel using simple random sampling technique. They were analyzed using the basic descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Spearman rank correlation was used to test the level of agreement between the two categories of personnel on the methods of training in their companies. Findings reveal among others that there is a disparity in the training policies of most companies regarding both categories of staff and did not favour the technical personnel. On-the-job training is the most effective method of staff development in the companies. The research has provided insight into key areas that require urgent action at the strategic level of management. Specifically, it has brought into focus perceived disparity between the level of training accorded the lower and higher cadre personnel.

An investigation on policy direction and drivers for sustainable facilities management practice in Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of sustainable facilities management (FM) practice in Nigeria particularly, as it relates to the sustainability policy and key drivers for sustainable FM practice among corporate organisations in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relied on data derived from a survey of 58 respondents (facilities managers and other top managers who have FM portfolios) representing 58 corporate organisations registered with Nigeria’s corporate affairs commission and interview sections in a case-study setting with three interviewees representing three corporate establishments in Nigeria. Findings – Findings identified health and safety, waste management and flexible working environment as the three main sustainability policy directions, in that order, while sustainability policy on biodiversity, urbanisation and forestation were the three least rated. Furthermore, the key drivers for sustainable FM practice are corporate image, job creation and wa...

Using structural equation modelling (SEM) to understand the relationships among critical success factors (CSFs) for stakeholder management in construction

Purpose Stakeholder management plays a significant role in successfully delivering construction projects. However, being able to carry out effective stakeholder management in construction is contingent upon understanding the interrelationships among critical success factors (CSFs) for stakeholder management in construction and how they are related to project success (PS). This would enable the persons responsible for stakeholder management to know the logical process for addressing the CSFs in order to get stakeholder management right. The understanding of this relationship has not been addressed. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interrelationships between the CSFs for stakeholder management and PS in construction. Design/methodology/approach From an extensive literature review, 23 CSFs for stakeholder management in construction were identified. A conceptual structural equation model (SEM) of the relationships between CSFs was developed (including measurement and structural models) using the groupings of the CSFs for stakeholder management in construction. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from construction industry practitioners. The data so collected were analysed using SEM in analysis of moment structures (AMOS). Findings The SEM analysis of data collected resulted in the best fitting measurement model comprising 16 CSFs as indicators of four latent variables, namely, stakeholder characteristics and project characteristics (SCPC); stakeholder analysis (SA); stakeholder dynamics (SD); and stakeholder engagement/empowerment (SE). Furthermore, it was found that only SE has a direct positive impact on PS. The other three constructs SCPC, SA and understanding SD collectively impact on PS through the construct, SE. Research limitations/implications The research reported in this paper was carried out in the UK; hence, the findings may have portrayed the UK construction professionals’ opinion. However, the theoretical principles on which the research was based are general and similar research could be replicated in different countries whose construction procurement processes and industries are structured like those of the UK or otherwise. Practical implications The main contribution of this study to existing knowledge is an empirical evidence of the interrelationships among the CSFs for stakeholder management in construction through their latent variables which is portrayed in the best fitting structural model showing the relationships between the constructs of CSFs for stakeholder management and PS. This should serve as a guide to construction project management team or responsible professionals for undertaking stakeholder management in construction projects. Originality/value The paper contributes to theory by empirically identifying the interrelationships among the CSFs for stakeholder management linking to PS which will serve as a guide to construction professionals.

Significant risk factors associated with facilities management (FM) outsourcing: A study on Nigeria’s public hospitals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the body of knowledge on healthcare facilities management (FM) by investigating the risks associated with outsourcing of FM services in hospitals. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relied on two strands of methodology common with pragmatic research. Questionnaire survey (QS) used data from 208 respondents representing ten hospitals while three out of the ten hospitals involved in the QS were selected based on their willingness to enter the case study (CS) interview. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics for QS and using narrative techniques by discussing themes, sub-themes for the CS. Findings – Findings established 24 out of the 35 risk factors as critical, four factors as somehow critical, and five factors as not critical. Besides, nine risk factors were found to be significantly loaded on the five risk categories. The rank analysis also revealed that the top five critical risk factors are: inexperience and lack o...