Assessment of the Innovation Performance of Nigerian Quantity Surveying Firms

Abstract

To attain a better competitive advantage due to the constantly evolving complexity of processes, products, and services, quantity surveying firms (QSFs) must establish a set of innovation performance indicators. This is because integrated innovativeness into practice can lead to an organization's success. However, QSFs in the study area are yet to sufficiently explore the potential benefits of innovation performance. This study examined the indicators of innovative performance and assessed the factors influencing the innovation performance of QSFs in the study area. A list of potential innovation performance dimensions and influencing factors have been identified through the literature review. A quantitative research method was adopted for this study. Of the 198 administered questionnaires, a total of 155 questionnaires were retrieved and used in this study. Collected data were analysed using frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation and Mann-Whitney U-test. The findings indicated that although all the innovation performance dimensions were somewhat important, the most undertaking indicator is the process innovation -that is, formation of alliances with others, effective research and development department in the firm, success in terms of developed long-term working relationships with other firms, and level of providing and exchanging experience with other firms. In another development, findings indicated that lack of rewards for innovation, lack of incentive for training investment and lack of qualified innovative personnel are the perceived most important barriers to innovation in QSFs in the study area. Overall, this study helps the QSFs to recognize which innovativeness should be emphasized and the barriers to guide against.