Financial crises occasioned by economic turbulence and stiff competition in the construction sector have forced Quantity Surveying firms (QSFs) and construction firms into finding innovative ways of surviving and staying above completion in most developing nations. The decline in the Nigerian oil and gas production and export has made it difficult for the government who is the largest client of the construction sector to limit its spending, especially in infrastructure and development projects. QSFs now scramble for effective and efficient strategies to survive the dwindling economic construction. This study assessed the survival strategies of quantity surveying firms (QSFs) during economic turbulence in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The well-structured Quantitative Questionnaire administered using snowball sampling techniques in the study area were adopted in gathering data from the target respondents. With a sample size of 86, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and mean item score (MIS). It was found that the most critical Survival strategy adopted by QSFs during economic turbulence are; improved networking systems to increase reach, effective management of knowledge, retaining experienced staff in the company, reduction of service charges, and improved service delivery. This study concludes that the assessed survival strategies have a high level of importance and plays a critical role in ensuring that Quantity Surveying firms survive the economic downturn and the stiff competitive market of the construction sector. It is recommended that the managers of QSFs should focus on those major strategies that will keep them above the competition, in continuous business, sustainable growth, and survival during economic turbulence.
Construction projects in especially developing countries are characterised by failure to meet project baselines (time, cost, quality). This is worsened by the inefficiencies in the application of contractors' selection criteria during the bidding processes of both civil and building construction projects. The application of contactor section criteria and their benefits in civil engineering projects is an area that is underexplored in construction management literature in the Nigerian context. This study aims to assess the major criteria influencing the selection of contractors on civil engineering construction projects and to determine the impacts of the contractor selection criteria. A well-structured quantitative research questionnaire was purposively administered to experienced construction experts in both clients and consultants organisations to gather data. The gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, relative Importance index (RII), Severity index (RI) and Mann-Whitney Test. It was found that the major criteria that are considered during contractors' selection in civil engineering construction projects are; managerial capability and competent supervisory staff, technical ability, financial soundness, competitive tender/bid price, and health and safety policy/performance. Also, the major benefits of contractors selection criteria in civil engineering construction projects are; enable the client or project owner to select contractors who are performers for the project, facilitate the achievement of project success and the objectives within the scheduled time and cost, to minimise project risks, maximize overall value to the project owner or client, and selection of contractor with sound financial management capabilities. The study recommended that clients and consultants should adopt the major criteria in the selection of suitable contractors for civil engineering construction projects.
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