Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critical factors that impact public sector organizations’ (PSOs) performance in PPP contracts with a view to improving their capabilities toward efficient project delivery and attracting more private sector investments. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is a quantitative approach which commenced with an in-depth literature review that provided the basis for identification of the variables that were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. Respondents were professionals from stakeholders’ organizations that had been involved in PPP contracts in the Southwestern region of Nigeria selected using respondent driven sampling technique. These include industrial practitioners from governmental-based organizations (ministries, agencies, corporations/parastatals, etc.), private developers/concessionaires, law firms, and banks, among others. Data collected were analyzed using mean, relative significance index) and factor analysis. Findings The critical performance factors of PSOs in concession contracts clustered under nine components. These were technical, legal, political, finance, market maturity, economic, procurement process, performance guarantee and degree of regulation. PSOs’ capability development measure in countries newly experimenting with concession model is expected to focus on these factors for improved project delivery. Research limitations/implications The study provided implications for capabilities improvement, legislation and policy making with respect to PPP transactions in countries newly experimenting with PPP contracts. This is highly significant to improving the capabilities of PSOs and attraction of more private sector partnership in infrastructure delivery through the concession model. Practical implications The study provided implication for capabilities improvement, legislation and policing with respect to PPP transactions in countries newly experimenting with PPP contracts. This is highly significant to improving the capabilities of PSOs and attraction of more private sector partnership in infrastructure delivery through concession model. Originality/value Previous studies on PPP performance had either focused on the projects or generalized the performance assessment to PSOs and private investors. This study extended the researches on PPP performance by revealing factors specific to the public sector stakeholders.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the measures practiced by public sector organizations (PSOs) to develop their capability and strength toward attaining the skills requirements for public-private partnership (PPP) program. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative approach based on primary data obtained via questionnaire survey. The literature review provided the basis for identification of variables that were evaluated through structured questionnaire survey. The respondents were professionals in PSOs that have procured PPP projects in Southwestern Nigeria. These were sampled through the drawing of referral chain, involving respondents-driven sampling technique. The data collected were analyses using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The capability development measures of PSOs in PPP projects delivery clustered around five components: conventional practices, training and development, organizational practices, human capital enhancement and government-aided intervention. These five components of capability development measures are expected to be focused with adequate and equal interest and embraced by PSOs in countries with evolving PPP markets. Social implications The study provides implications for domestic human capital strengthening for enhanced infrastructure delivery in countries with evolving PPP markets. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature on capabilities improvement on PPP projects. This was achieved by providing empirical evidences with respect to human resource boost for enhanced performance of public sector organizations in their partnership with their private sector counterparts for PPP project success.

The innovative solutions offered by integrating 3D printing technology in construction over the conventional practices have established its globally rising adoption in the construction industry. This study assessed the awareness, application, drivers, and barriers to adopting enhanced 3D printing technology for construction to enhance faster and more sustainable construction processes. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis which was based on primary data. The primary data were obtained using structured questionnaires self-administered to construction firms/contractors in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that the awareness and application levels of the technology are still deficient, as the vast majority (80.8%) of the firms who had an awareness of the technology in the study area acquired it through personal research and professional dialogue, rather than through the practical application of the technology. This finding showed that 3DP technology is a new construction option in the study area. The findings showed statistically significant differences among the drivers (0.039≤ p ≤0.017) for the adoption of 3D printing technology, which is influenced by the client’s demand and desire. The study further established that inadequate power source is a significant limiting factor to adopting 3D printing in the study area. Implications are indicated by the findings on the technology drivers and barriers that could help the construction industry in developing countries towards capability improvement for better adoption of 3D printing innovation and enhanced sustainable construction process.

PurposeThe clarity of requisite roles of public sector organizations (PSOs) for successful procurement of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure in Nigeria is not well-established as the country is portrayed with the rising statistics on the haphazard pattern of operation of PPP model for infrastructure procurement. This has greatly beset the expected performance of a number of PPP projects which were intended to bridge the infrastructural deficit in the country. This study therefore examined roles the performed by PSOs in PPP infrastructure procurement with a view to delineate PSOs obligations and consequently improve project success.Design/methodology/approachThe study was based on structured questionnaire survey of professionals in PSOs who have been involved in PPP infrastructure procurement in Southwestern Nigeria. The sampled professionals were drawn from a build-up of network through a referral chain by the adoption of respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method. The data collected were subjected to mean score analysis and Kruskal–Wallis test.FindingsThe study found that roles pertaining to management of variation, apportionment of penalties and abatements, select preferred bidders, establish management approaches for PPP risks are infrequently performed by PSOs in Nigeria. Whereas these roles are critical to successful procurement of PPP infrastructure as they are prerequisites for PPP infrastructural project success.Originality/valueThe study provides information that would be useful for developing countries with evolving PPP markets for enhanced project delivery.

The feasibility of achieving sustainable building development, an eco-friendly environment, and building investment conservation by integrating technological intelligence in buildings is highly viable. Intelligence features are, therefore, increasingly being incorporated in new designs and existing buildings to enhance the useful life, productivity and satisfaction of occupants, and a greener environment. This article evaluates the use of intelligent building systems in Nigeria. Primary data were obtained with the use of structured questionnaires that were self-administered to construction professionals in the private and public sectors in Lagos State. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings established that 90.24% of the respondents were aware of intelligent building systems, while practitioners who have worked or were working on buildings with intelligent features were limited to 51.2%. Approximately 64.60% of the respondents have used intelligent buildings previously, but only thirteen (13) notable buildings were identified to have employed intelligent building systems to a reasonable extent in the study area. The features of intelligent buildings with top level of awareness were CCTV system; access control and locks (mean = 3.96); alarms and alerts (mean = 3.92); HVAC system (mean = 3.90), and fire alarm system (mean = 3.89). Features with high level of utilisation include lighting system, which was the most utilised feature (mean = 3.57); fire alarm system (mean = 3.48); access control and lock; CCTV system (mean = 3.45), and HVAC system (mean = 3.43). The results showed that most of the features with a high level of awareness were also those with a high level of utilisation. The study established that the level of awareness and utilisation of intelligent building systems in the study area is high, but full adoption of the system is still low.