Previous research works on the integration of e-Procurement technologies in the construction process in Nigeria showed that it has been slow and low. However, there are few empirical studies on the duration for which it has permeated the construction industry, the actual proponents and the metrics that can engender successful integration of e-Procurement technologies, applications, and tools in the construction procurement process, especially in a developing country like Nigeria. The study was aimed at evaluating the critical success factors (CSFs) for e-Procurement adoption in the Nigerian construction industry. The study was carried out in the six geo-political zones in Nigeria using a survey research design. Construction stakeholders were selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. A total of 1092 questionnaires were retrieved in this study, but the data of 759 actual users of e-Procurement systems were analyzed in this study using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis (PCA). An assessment of the duration users have been participating in the e-Procurement environment revealed that most Quantity Surveyors have been exposed to the use of e-Procurement technologies for over 10 years. A large proportion of the construction stakeholders picked up the use of the technology within the last 5 years. Further analysis showed that contracting firms have the largest participation in the use of e-Procurement systems. The study also revealed that construction stakeholders perceived the availability of reliable, affordable, and fast Internet services as the most critical success factor for the adoption of e-Procurement technologies. The critical success factors (CSFs) were further classified into management support for physical infrastructure, and human factors and characteristics of the technology. The study showed that these critical success factors (CSFs) are crucial for the adoption of e-Procurement systems in the Nigerian construction industry. The study recommended that there is still a need for increased awareness of the e-Procurement tools and technologies and the benefits that are accrued from their use among public sector construction participants. This will in turn influence the provision of the required information and communication technology (ICT) physical infrastructure and formulation of appropriate policies and standards for successful e-Procurement integration in the Nigerian construction industry.
Embracing the principles of green building in development is crucial in creating a sustainable environment. However, research on its adoption in educational institutions is very low and students’ opinions are not given priority in the few research that are available in Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the perception of built environment students on the need to embrace the principles of green building in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. 101 questionnaires were administered to students in the Departments of Architecture, Building Technology and Estate Management of the university and a response rate of 94% was achieved. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics such as percentage, weighted mean and relative importance index (RII) and the data was presented in tables. The study revealed that 88.42% of the students are aware of the concept of green building. According to the students, the degree of embracing green building standards in Covenant University is very low. Moreover, the benefits the students perceive the university can derive from adopting green building principles are: improved indoor air and water quality, reduction in pollution and environmental degradation, energy efficiency and water conservation. In addition, the students identified the following as the main barriers to green building adoption: ignorance on green building principles and their benefits (RII = 0.91), high cost of green building technology (RII = 0.89), ignorance on professional knowledge and expertise on green building (RII = 0.89), ignorance on green building principles promotion by government (RII = 0.87) and ignorance on importance attached to green building principles by management of universities (RII = 0.87). The study recommended, amongst others, that there should be a forum where university management teams can be enlightened on the gains of embracing green building standards. This study is expected to broaden the knowledge of the Management of Covenant University on the importance of green development which will make the university environment to be conducive for learning, which will in turn aid better students’ academic performance. The study concluded that green building principles are vital to the physical and aesthetic planning of any development as it will reduce the amount of raw materials used in construction.
The use of electronic (e-) procurement to support the execution of supply chain management activities in the different industrial sectors is permeating all regions of the world. However, in countries in sub-Saharan Africa where there is a significant level of corruption and unethical practices in the procurement process, there is a need for a better understanding of how e-Procurement can help to check the incidence of corrupt and unethical practices in construction project delivery. This study relied on a cross-sectional survey of 759 respondents, including architects, builders, engineers, estate/facilities managers, contractors, construction/project managers, quantity surveyors, supply chain managers and others to identify and analyse the anti-corruption capabilities of e-Procurement in construction project delivery in Nigeria. The results of the descriptive statistics, relative importance index and principal components analysis identified 18 anti-corruption capabilities in e-Procurement in construction project delivery with the three most important ones being the capability of e-Procurement to ensure good inventory management/record keeping; accountability by providing audit services trail and minimise direct human contacts during bidding. The key underlying dimensions of these capabilities include the advantage of e-Procurement over the traditional paper-based method; transparent bidding process and increase in competition in construction project delivery process. The findings of this study have implications, especially, on the use of e-Procurement to curb corruption in construction procurement activities.
The adoption of e-Procurement in construction is gaining global acceptability, but in a developing country like Nigeria, there is a paucity of studies on the e-Procurement tools/applications used by construction industry stakeholders and their experiences with this technology. This study investigated e-Procurement adoption and users' experience with it in the Nigerian construction industry using a questionnaire survey of 759 users of e-Procurement. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis and the results show that whereas relatively high usage of e-Procurement tools in sending and receiving information on tender opportunities, tendering, and making and receiving payments for construction procurement transactions was observed, the use of this technology in monitoring the progress of work on construction sites or tracking the movement of materials was very low. It was also observed that users' experience with e-Procurement in Nigeria was influenced by the adequacy and reliability of Internet infrastructure and ease of use of the technology, operational environment, change management issues, benefits of the technology, and the availability, accessibility, and interoperability of e-Procurement systems. The study implies that in order to ensure sustained use of e-Procurement in Nigeria's construction sector, adequate attention should be given to these factors that influence users' experience.
Arising from the recent shift in the attitude of main contractors to subcontract procurement in some of the developing countries of the world, this study presents the findings of the importance of factors influencing the choice of subcontractors by the clients and contractors. With a focus on three commercial nerve centres of Nigeria (Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt), the study presents the findings of a survey of construction clients/contractors and rank the factors they consider in the selection of suitable subcontractors for project execution. The results of the relative index ranking technique indicate that five most important factors are: subcontractors’ past experience in terms of size and type of projects completed; subcontractors’ management resource in terms of formal and informal training; other related issues in terms of nature of contract and time of the year (weather), past relationships with the clients/contractors (past performance), and project facilitation in terms on labour/plant resources. It is concluded that greatest premiums should be attached to some of these factors for improved construction sustainability.
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