Ojo, L D; Ogunsemi, D R; Elyamany, A and Oke, A E (2025) Profound barriers to value management adoption on construction projects in a developing nation. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 23(1), pp. 264-286. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The adoption of value management (VM) has been on the rise in the construction industry, especially in the past decade. Identifying the main barriers to VM application for ameliorating poor project outcomes in the construction industry is a critical step to overcoming its implementation. Therefore, this study aims to examine the barriers to the adoption of VM in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) and identify the critical ones for action by construction stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach: This study used two rounds of Delphi surveys with 15 VM experts to identify the challenges to VM adoption. The Delphi team's data from the two surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics. The mean-mode approach was used to identify ten major barriers to VM adoption based on the consensus reached during the second round of the Delphi poll. Following that, an interrater agreement analysis and a significant level analysis were performed. Findings: Of the 17 identified barriers hindering VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI, 10 were found to be profound after statistical analyses of the data. The significant barriers include communication gap between the client and other consultants; delay in design preparation because of VM services; the pretext that VM is being practiced in the construction industry; and the wrong perception of VM by construction professionals, among others. The findings of the analysis suggested that the lack of VM adoption in the NCI was because of inadequate knowledge of VM techniques among construction professionals. Therefore, it is advised that VM training be provided for concerned stakeholders to address the lack of VM expertise among Nigerian construction professionals. Practical implications: This study investigated the barriers to VM adoption on construction projects in the NCI with the opinions of a few construction professionals who can be regarded as VM experts. As against obtaining large survey responses from construction professionals who may not be knowledgeable in the VM process, the limited VM experts' responses provide a valid basis for drawing inferences and making recommendations to address the paucity of VM applications in the NCI. Originality/value: Through a Delphi survey, the critical barriers to the adoption of VM were identified, along with recommendations to help construction stakeholders overcome the challenges and enjoy the benefits of VM.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Delphi; project success; value engineering; value management; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, methodology, construction project, survey, developing nation, drawing, value engineering, value management, construction professional, implementation, construction industry, statistics, project success, Delphi survey, project outcome, statistical analysis |
| Subjects: | project completion, contractual arrangements, research methods, development economics, production management, mathematical modelling, data collection methods, value management, technical documentation, data science, management, professional development, project management theory and practice, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Design Practice, International Construction, Cost Management, Information Management, Research Practice, Value Management, Project Management, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here