Papers by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
The software's used in accomplishing QS tasks in Nigeria are all of foreign origin and their cost... more The software's used in accomplishing QS tasks in Nigeria are all of foreign origin and their cost is an important factor which consequently attracts more cost to the construction project clients in form of overheads. Nowadays, computer system software are being widely used by most of the Quantity Surveying practicing firms as well as individual practicing Quantity Surveyors that cannot afford buying the purposely made billing software by reasons of financial constraints, lack of exposure to the latest advancements in the area of information technology and computing and/or competent personnel that will handle the latest sophisticated Quantity Surveying software for the preparation and management of BOQ. This research aimed at exploring computer systems software, exclusively to uncover the most efficient system software between Microsoft access and Microsoft excel for BOQ automation in Nigeria. The research design is contextual, descriptive and analytical. The research conducted an extensive literature search to obtained secondary data. A set of 25 criterion comparing the efficiencies of the two system software for processing and managing data extracted from Microsoft manufacturer's manual are used as a benchmark for obtaining the primary information (data) on the basic functionalities of the two applications on a weighting scale of 0-2. And the indicators, Apply (absolutely efficient), Acceptable (partially efficient) and doesn't Apply (absolutely inefficient), are weighted as 2, 1 and 0 respectively. Paired t-test was used to test the research hypothesis at 5% level of significance and establishes that MS Access is more efficient than MS Excel in the preparation and automation of BOQ. The research findings revealed that both MS Excel and MS Access are both efficient in the preparation and automation of BOQ; however, MS Access is 26% more efficient than MS Excel. It recommends' the use of both system software for BOQ automation and for other QS services.
In spirit with global demand on the construction industry's practitioners to attain environmental... more In spirit with global demand on the construction industry's practitioners to attain environmental friendliness through Sustainable Construction (SC), the paper identified effective procurement practices in a developing economy, with a view to guiding construction practitioners' decision on accomplishing SC. Ontological philosophical approach was adopted; it employed an exploratory design as a stand-alone design using literature review. Finding identifies effective practices as: environmental impacts assessment, SC consciousness at predesign and design stage, SC strategy application at construction stage, and the application of ICT support system for sustainability evaluation. The study recommends: construction professionals to adhere to practices that will support SC, research activities on SC be encouraged, adequate research funding provided, and government to enforce the implementation of sustainable development.
Abstract
Several studies attribute Nigerian Indigenous Contractors (NICs) poor performance to ina... more Abstract
Several studies attribute Nigerian Indigenous Contractors (NICs) poor performance to inadequate project
planning due to the adoption of a non-project (traditional) management approach despite its shortcoming. This
study explored how project management theory can be applied by NICs to curb poor project planning.
Exploratory design was employed as a stand-alone design through literature review. The exploration reveals that
project management theory can be applied by NICs to: enhance experience through the Transformation Flow
Value (TFV) concept; improve cost and time performance through the control model; appropriately apply
planning techniques using the concept of management-as-planning; mitigate project planning challenges using
the control model; identify factors that can significantly influence project planning using the concept of
management-as-planning; achieve project planning success through the adherence to project planning success
indicators using the control model. The study recommends NICs to: adopt project management approach and,
train their workforceon the application of project management.
Keywords: Indigenous contractors; Nigeria; project management theory; project planning; traditional
management
The frequent criticism of the performance of Nigerian Indigenous contractors is a consequence of ... more The frequent criticism of the performance of Nigerian Indigenous contractors is a consequence of management incapacity and poor project planning. This can be addressed if contractors understand the indicators of project planning success and apply this knowledge in the planning of their project tasks. This research therefore aims at identifying contractors’ project planning success indicators and their level of importance. Literature review revealed sixteen contractors’ project planning success indicators. The study used a questionnaire survey method and administered 300 questionnaires through purposive sampling to indigenous contractors, consultants and public professionals in northern Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using SPSS for: reliability, correlation, and significance tests, as well as descriptive statistics. The research findings reveal that all the identified success indicators are important to contractors in attaining project planning success. The most important success indicators are: plan’s adherence to time; plan’s adherence to quality; and adequacy of plan in determining suppliers’ delivery dates. The study therefore recommends that contractors should: understand the technicalities in project planning through the adoption of project management methodology; adopt ICT in project planning; employ a competent workforce, embark on continuous training and have good knowledge of the construction market.This research finding will facilitates the indigenous contractors in attaining project success, consequently, enhance the performance of the NCI to meet international best practice. Keywords: Construction industry, Contracting, Indigenous contractors, Project Management and Planning, Nigeria, Success indicators
Professionals are expected to exhibit high level of professionalism by adhering to their professi... more Professionals are expected to exhibit high level of professionalism by adhering to their professional ethics when
discharging their duties. Nonetheless, consequences of unethical professional practices are evident in the
Nigerian construction industry (NCI). Thus affecting the performance of construction projects and the role of
the industry in enhancing the economic growth of the country. Hence, the s tudy sought to identify the effects of
unethical professional practices on construction projects performance in Nigeria and to identify remedies for
curbing it. Explorative and questionnaire survey methods were used to obtained data from literatures, inter views
and construction professionals. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS was used for:
reliability, correlation tests and significance test. Result revealed vulnerability to frequent maintenance work,
delays and cost overruns as the extremely severe effects of unethical practices on projects performance and
adherence to professional ethics, transparency and accountability in contract administration, the use of approved
construction designs from certified professionals as highly effective remedies for curbing unethical professional
practices. The research recommend construction professional and regulatory bodies, and the government to
adopt the research finding on the remedies and these organizations should be synergize in imple menting the
remedies for curbing unethical professional practices in Nigeria. The research result will assist in curbing
unethical practices and improves projects performance thus, facilitates professionalism in the NCI to meet
international best practice.
Keywords: Construction industry, Nigeria, Professional ethics, Project performance.
The software’s used in accomplishing QS tasks in Nigeria are all of foreign origin and their cost... more The software’s used in accomplishing QS tasks in Nigeria are all of foreign origin and their cost is an important factor which consequently attracts more cost to the construction project clients in form of overheads. Nowadays, computer system software are being widely used by most of the Quantity Surveying practicing firms as well as individual practicing Quantity Surveyors that cannot afford buying the purposely made billing software by reasons of financial constraints, lack of exposure to the latest advancements in the area of information technology and computing and/or competent personnel that will handle the latest sophisticated Quantity Surveying software for the preparation and management of BOQ. This research aimed at exploring computer systems software, exclusively to uncover the most efficient system software between Microsoft access and Microsoft excel for BOQ automation in Nigeria. The research design is contextual, descriptive and analytical. The research conducted an extensive literature search to obtained secondary data. A set of 25 criterion comparing the efficiencies of the two system software for processing and managing data extracted from Microsoft manufacturer’s manual are used as a benchmark for obtaining the primary information (data) on the basic functionalities of the two applications on a weighting scale of 0-2. And the indicators, Apply (absolutely efficient), Acceptable (partially efficient) and doesn’t Apply (absolutely inefficient), are weighted as 2, 1 and 0 respectively. Paired t-test was used to test the research hypothesis at 5% level of significance and establishes that MS Access is more efficient than MS Excel in the preparation and automation of BOQ. The research findings revealed that both MS Excel and MS Access are both efficient in the preparation and automation of BOQ; however, MS Access is 26% more efficient than MS Excel. It recommends’ the use of both system software for BOQ automation and for other QS services.
Keywords: Computer and ICT; MS Excel; MS Access; BOQ Automation; QS Services.
Nigerian indigenous contractors’ (NICs) inadequate project planning has been an impediment to the... more Nigerian indigenous contractors’ (NICs) inadequate project planning has been an impediment to the Nigerian economy. Their inadequacy emanates from: inexperience, incompetence, inappropriate planning techniques application, planning challenges, inadequate understanding of influencing factors for project planning, and poor understanding of project planning success indicators. This study investigated NICs project operational planning in building projects procurement in Nigeria and established a strategy for NICs project planning. Its objectives: established the level of NICs involvement in building procurement systems; examined NICs project time and cost performances in building procurement systems; investigated NICs application of project planning techniques; identified and evaluated NICs project planning challenges; identified and evaluated significant factors influencing NICs project planning and; identified and evaluated contractors’ project planning success indicators in building projects. The research design is quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative design employs exploratory and descriptive survey, while the qualitative design employs collective case studies. The absence of authoritative NICs sample frame necessitated the use of purposive sampling technique to administer 300 questionnaires to respondents’ in northern Nigeria. The questionnaire administration attains 59% response rate. Data were analyzed for reliability, significance, and correlation test, as well as descriptive statistics. Stratified random sampling technique was used to sample the case study and data analyzed using Bloom’s hierarchy taxonomy and descriptive statistics. Result reveals that: NICs frequency of involvement is much lower in the non-traditional procurement systems, underperformed in project time and cost, and inappropriately applied project planning techniques; identified project planning challenges are severe; identified influencing factors are important; and identified contractors’ project planning success indicators are important. This study recommends: NICs acquire skills for the management of non-traditional procurement systems and, public and private clients should patronize the NICs in the execution of non-traditional procurement systems; NICs should adopt project management techniques; consultants/NICs should conduct exhaustive brief evaluation, adequate feasibility study and appropriate scope definition; clients and consultants should adhere to project management procedures; NICs should apply appropriate planning techniques, employ competent personnel, embark on continuous training, use the project planning success indicators as a guide for the management and planning of project operational tasks; form of building contract used in Nigeria should be reviewed to enforce proficiency in contractors project planning; and project management courses should be introduce in the training of construction related discipline in Nigerian institutions. Adherence to these recommendations will enhance NICs project planning and, facilitate their project management performance in meeting construction best practice.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous contractors,
Nigeria, Procurement systems, Project planning.
Construction projects procurement is more complex than other forms of general procurements. Hence... more Construction projects procurement is more complex than other forms of general procurements. Hence, construction contractors require adequate planning to succeed. Yet, many of the Nigerian indigenous contractors (NICs’) are unable to plan their contractual requirements for successful delivery of projects. Thus, impeding the Nigerian construction industry from meeting the construction needs of the nation. This study sought to investigate NICs’ application of project planning techniques in construction projects procurement. The study used descriptive survey method and collective case study. Questionnaires were administered to contractors through purposive sampling technique and stratified random sampling technique was used to select contractors for the case study. The case study was used to probe the questionnaire responses. Data from the questionnaires were analysed for reliability and significance tests, as well as descriptive statistics. Bloom’s taxonomy hierarchy was used to analyse the case study. Result reveals: some NICs’ used their central administration instead of their project managers to plan their projects operations, non-application of project planning technique by some NICs’, inappropriate application of planning techniques by majority of the NICs’ who apply it, and non-adoption of ICT in projects planning. The study recommend: contractors to apply project management techniques, engage competent personnel, embark on continuous training, adopt ICT in their operations, invest in knowledge management; and standard form of contract used in Nigeria should be reviewed to include a clause enforcing contractors to apply the appropriate planning techniques. Appropriate application of project planning techniques by the NICs’ will facilitates their project management performance in the NCI.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous Contractors, Nigeria, Procurement systems,
Abstract: This study investigated Nigerian indigenous contractors (NICs) involvement, performance... more Abstract: This study investigated Nigerian indigenous contractors (NICs) involvement, performance, project planning challenges and application of project planning techniques in building project procurement systems in Nigeria. Explanatory method was used through a collective case study of building projects files. Fifteen contractors were evenly selected from a population of 69 NICs in the three geo-political zones of northern Nigeria through a Stratified random sampling technique. The documents for the case study satisfies the external and internal criticism techniques test for validity and reliability. Bloom’s hierarchy taxonomy and descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. Result reveals that NICs: are involved in both traditional and non-traditional procurement systems and their frequency of involvement is lower in the non-traditional procurement systems, underperformed in project cost and time, experience project planning challenges, and inappropriately apply project planning techniques in project procurement systems in Nigeria. This study recommends NICs to employ competent personnel, embark on continuous training, adopt project management methodology; projects clients and consultants should adhere to project management procedures; and the standard form of contract used in Nigeria should be reviewed to include a clause enforcing contractors to apply the appropriate planning techniques. Adherence to the recommendations will enhance the NICs project management performance to meet construction best practice.
Index Term: Indigenous contractors, Nigeria, Performance, Procurement systems, Project planning
Talks by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
Conference Presentations by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
The 7th International Conference of EACEF, University of Stuttgart-Germany, 2019
This study investigates how semiotics can be applied to enhance construction operatives' health a... more This study investigates how semiotics can be applied to enhance construction operatives' health and safety (H&S) signs comprehension in Yola metropolis, Nigeria, with a view to improving on H&S management that will curtail the occurrence of accidents. Adopted ISO (9186-1) questionnaire for testing H&S signs comprehension were administered to 60 construction professionals and operatives that are executing 5 government building projects. Responses were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics respectively. Findings revealed that 11 of the 15 H&S signs studied ranked highly relevant for curbing accidents on construction sites while the remaining ranked relevant. For factors influencing H&S signs; training ranked highly influential, experience ranked influential, education ranked moderately influential. While culture, age and gender were ranked least influential respectively. The study recommends: contractors H&S safety compliance records be considered as one of the bases for contract award, safety consciousness be integrated in the overall procurement process, H&S requirements compliance certificate should be introduced and issue to compliant contracting firms, erring contractors on non-adherence to H&S provisions on construction sites be sanction, and construction operatives should be continuously train on H&S signs comprehension.
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Papers by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
Several studies attribute Nigerian Indigenous Contractors (NICs) poor performance to inadequate project
planning due to the adoption of a non-project (traditional) management approach despite its shortcoming. This
study explored how project management theory can be applied by NICs to curb poor project planning.
Exploratory design was employed as a stand-alone design through literature review. The exploration reveals that
project management theory can be applied by NICs to: enhance experience through the Transformation Flow
Value (TFV) concept; improve cost and time performance through the control model; appropriately apply
planning techniques using the concept of management-as-planning; mitigate project planning challenges using
the control model; identify factors that can significantly influence project planning using the concept of
management-as-planning; achieve project planning success through the adherence to project planning success
indicators using the control model. The study recommends NICs to: adopt project management approach and,
train their workforceon the application of project management.
Keywords: Indigenous contractors; Nigeria; project management theory; project planning; traditional
management
discharging their duties. Nonetheless, consequences of unethical professional practices are evident in the
Nigerian construction industry (NCI). Thus affecting the performance of construction projects and the role of
the industry in enhancing the economic growth of the country. Hence, the s tudy sought to identify the effects of
unethical professional practices on construction projects performance in Nigeria and to identify remedies for
curbing it. Explorative and questionnaire survey methods were used to obtained data from literatures, inter views
and construction professionals. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS was used for:
reliability, correlation tests and significance test. Result revealed vulnerability to frequent maintenance work,
delays and cost overruns as the extremely severe effects of unethical practices on projects performance and
adherence to professional ethics, transparency and accountability in contract administration, the use of approved
construction designs from certified professionals as highly effective remedies for curbing unethical professional
practices. The research recommend construction professional and regulatory bodies, and the government to
adopt the research finding on the remedies and these organizations should be synergize in imple menting the
remedies for curbing unethical professional practices in Nigeria. The research result will assist in curbing
unethical practices and improves projects performance thus, facilitates professionalism in the NCI to meet
international best practice.
Keywords: Construction industry, Nigeria, Professional ethics, Project performance.
Keywords: Computer and ICT; MS Excel; MS Access; BOQ Automation; QS Services.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous contractors,
Nigeria, Procurement systems, Project planning.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous Contractors, Nigeria, Procurement systems,
Index Term: Indigenous contractors, Nigeria, Performance, Procurement systems, Project planning
Talks by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
Conference Presentations by IBRAHIM I B R A H I M INUWA
Several studies attribute Nigerian Indigenous Contractors (NICs) poor performance to inadequate project
planning due to the adoption of a non-project (traditional) management approach despite its shortcoming. This
study explored how project management theory can be applied by NICs to curb poor project planning.
Exploratory design was employed as a stand-alone design through literature review. The exploration reveals that
project management theory can be applied by NICs to: enhance experience through the Transformation Flow
Value (TFV) concept; improve cost and time performance through the control model; appropriately apply
planning techniques using the concept of management-as-planning; mitigate project planning challenges using
the control model; identify factors that can significantly influence project planning using the concept of
management-as-planning; achieve project planning success through the adherence to project planning success
indicators using the control model. The study recommends NICs to: adopt project management approach and,
train their workforceon the application of project management.
Keywords: Indigenous contractors; Nigeria; project management theory; project planning; traditional
management
discharging their duties. Nonetheless, consequences of unethical professional practices are evident in the
Nigerian construction industry (NCI). Thus affecting the performance of construction projects and the role of
the industry in enhancing the economic growth of the country. Hence, the s tudy sought to identify the effects of
unethical professional practices on construction projects performance in Nigeria and to identify remedies for
curbing it. Explorative and questionnaire survey methods were used to obtained data from literatures, inter views
and construction professionals. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS was used for:
reliability, correlation tests and significance test. Result revealed vulnerability to frequent maintenance work,
delays and cost overruns as the extremely severe effects of unethical practices on projects performance and
adherence to professional ethics, transparency and accountability in contract administration, the use of approved
construction designs from certified professionals as highly effective remedies for curbing unethical professional
practices. The research recommend construction professional and regulatory bodies, and the government to
adopt the research finding on the remedies and these organizations should be synergize in imple menting the
remedies for curbing unethical professional practices in Nigeria. The research result will assist in curbing
unethical practices and improves projects performance thus, facilitates professionalism in the NCI to meet
international best practice.
Keywords: Construction industry, Nigeria, Professional ethics, Project performance.
Keywords: Computer and ICT; MS Excel; MS Access; BOQ Automation; QS Services.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous contractors,
Nigeria, Procurement systems, Project planning.
Keywords: Construction industry, Indigenous Contractors, Nigeria, Procurement systems,
Index Term: Indigenous contractors, Nigeria, Performance, Procurement systems, Project planning