Innocent Chigozie Osuizugbo

Bio: Innocent Chigozie Osuizugbo is an academic researcher from Bells University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Engineering & Construction industry. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 9 publications receiving 23 citations.

Building production management practice in the construction industry in Nigeria

Abstract: 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.

Improving the Performance of Building Construction Firms through Addressing the Gap of Building Production Management: A New Production Model Approach

Abstract: Abstract Gap of building production management (BPM) is a serious issue that influences project success and building construction firms’ (BCFs) performance. Hence, the call for BCFs performance improvement using a new production model approach is a necessity. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of the new production model concept as a method for enhancing the performance of BCFs through addressing the gap of BPM in Nigeria. To attain this aim, a research procedure was designed to achieve two objectives which include: (i) exploring the nature of Nigerian construction industry, gap of BPM and new production model concept; (ii) investigating the awareness and application of the new production model concept as a method for enhancing the performance of BCFs in the study area. To accomplish the aforementioned aim, a research method comprised of a literature review and questionnaire surveys was designed to address the objectives. The study identified unproductive/ineffective BPM, lack of buildability and maintainability analysis, professionalism mismatch, and unauthorized practices as the gap of BPM. This study revealed that the gap of BPM is the main reason behind building failures/collapses, bad debts, low productivity, low level of clients satisfaction, high labour turnovers, and barriers to economic fortune. The study also revealed poor cash flow, lack of experience in the construction field, unprofessionalism and a high number of unskilled employees in a company, lack of co-operation from subcontractors and suppliers and poor labour relations, as the top five causes of BPM gap. BCFs in Nigeria have adopted several approaches to arrest these issues, but the challenges still occur. Thus, the new production model concept that has not been well adopted by construction firms in Nigeria, and which emphasizes on-site production, and aims at enhancing production management is a key to tackling these issues. Based on the survey findings, the study recommended that the issue of the gap of BPM must be correctly identified and clearly understood so as to enable BCFs to bridge the production management gap which will influence their performance positively.

Factors Inhibiting Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Among Construction Companies

Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the best strategies that companies used in minimising negative societal and environmental impacts, enhancing economic development and improving social progress concurrently. However, there are many factors discouraging construction companies to implement or establish a CSR plan. Furthermore, there are few empirical studies in relation to CSR in construction, and the majority of empirical research on CSR implementation are rooted in the organisational and economic context of the developed world. Therefore, the current study seeks to investigate the factors inhibiting CSR initiatives among construction companies within the context of a developing country such as Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research method. Questionnaires were administered to a purposively selected group of managing directors, directors, other top construction professionals or management personnel involved in the operation of small, medium and large construction companies in Nigeria. A total of 196 questionnaires were administered among the sampled respondents out of which a total of 119 representing 61% were adequately filled and returned. The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed corruption tendencies borne from lack of transparency between companies and government, lack of CSR benefits measurement, lack of financial resources, inadequate support from top management and lack of governmental support as the top five factors inhibiting CSR initiatives among construction companies in Nigeria. In addition, the results from the study revealed that, there is no statistically significant difference in factors inhibiting CSR in construction between indigenous and expatriate and partly indigenous/partly expatriate companies. The findings provide in-depth insight of the factors inhibiting CSR programmes in construction that can help top construction professionals and management personnel in construction companies facilitate development of strategies required to mitigate the factors inhibiting CSR programmes.

Barriers to the Adoption of Sustainable Construction

Abstract: Studies have shown that adoption of sustainable construction practice would result in a substantial reduction in the greenhouse emissions from the construction industry. Evolving a sustainable development practice is an emergent concern for the construction industry in both developing and developed countries. Sustainable construction is concerned with site planning and design, community, indoor air quality, energy, materials, water, commissioning and marketability for the benefit of mankind. This requires enormous efforts from all the stakeholders in the industry. Sustainable construction efforts in the Nigerian construction industry have been ineffective as a result of a number of barriers that prevent a smooth transition to sustainable construction practice in the country. The aim of this study is to assess the potential barriers that hinder effective adoption of sustainable construction practice in the Nigerian Construction Industry, with a view to exploring how these barriers can be overcome and thereby achieving sustainable construction in the country. A cross-sectional questionnaire was adopted for the survey. Purposive sampling technique was used to elicit 105 copies of questionnaires from various construction professionals based in Lagos state, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, relative importance index and ranking. The results revealed that key barriers to sustainable construction in the Nigerian Construction Industry are poor government support for sustainable construction, lack of relevant laws and regulations to drive sustainable construction, lack of demand for sustainable construction from clients, low level of awareness of sustainable construction and fear of the cost of adopting sustainable construction. Based on the findings from this study, it was recommended that government should assume a greater role in the popularisation and application of sustainable strategy. The barriers identified and the suggestions made to minimize barriers to the adoption of sustainable construction in Nigeria should offer an enabling environment for stakeholders in construction sector to smoothly adopt sustainable construction for the benefit of humanity.

An appraisal of building control and regulations practice in Nigeria: Project managers’ perspectives

Abstract: Development and certification of buildings for health and safety of building users necessitated the building control and regulations agencies in Nigeria, and the protection of the built-up regions from human injuries is man’s major obligation. The article aims to determine and assess the level of practice of building control and regulations in the country with a view to advance their practice. A questionnaire instrument was used, and 35 building control performance indicators were recognized, and categorised into four groups and assessed. A total of 117 questionnaires were distributed to survey participants. Statistical tools of mean, chi-square, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance and Kruskal–Wallis test by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v.23 were used. The result obtained revealed that the level of practice of the four groups of building control performance indicators is average. On the basis of the survey findings, the top most five building control performance indicators as considered by the participants are as follows: zero tolerance to illegal development and building collapse, enforcement of building control regulations, processing and scrutinizing of building plans for approval, cooperation among staff members and public enlightenment on building control and regulations. The degree of agreement between the participants concerning the performance indicators that influence building control and regulations practice in Nigeria was established. The result obtained revealed that there is a statistically significant degree of agreement among the three different classes of project managers regarding their responses. The study also revealed the drawback in the implementation and enforcement of building control and regulations in the country. Recommendations were also made to improve the practice.

Modeling a Multi-Criteria Decision Support System for Prequalification Assessment of Construction Contractors using CRITIC and EDAS Models

Abstract: Contractor prequalification assessment in the construction industry is an essential part of the project development process because contractors play a pivotal role in the extension of projects and resources. The main objective of the present study is comprised prequalification assessment for classifying contractors by applied the EDAS method for recognizing the contractors' potential before competitive tendering and obtaining bids. First, an inclusive, detailed list of 56 sub-factors under 5 main factors for project prequalification was compiled following a thorough literature review, and review of contractors by experts of Bandar Imam Khomeini municipality who already have done projects with contractors. Second, used the CRITIC method for obtained the weighing and importance of each factor. Third, classified the contractors by applied the EDAS system for recognizing the contractors' potential before competitive tendering and obtaining bids. Finally, the prequalification assessment process was developed to obtaining the rank of each contractor and help the stakeholders to select the right contractors. The effectiveness of the present approach was tested by applying it to a case study of the prequalification assessment of four construction companies' in Bandar Imam Khomeini municipality, Khuzestan, Iran. It is worth mentioning that the prequalification assessment by the proposed approach is approved by the project stakeholders and is consistent with their expectations. It can be concluded that based on relevant ranking and weighing of companies that procedure can be extended to the same studies in this regard, and the contribution of the present study is to propose a support system for prequalification and identification of contractors' ability, before assigning projects to companies for success in projects.

Building production management practice in the construction industry in Nigeria

Abstract: 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.