Lan, R; Adenuga, O and Awolusi, I (2026) Professionals' perspectives on the factors causing construction project failures in developing countries: A case study of Lagos metropolis. International Journal of Construction Management, 26(3), pp. 511-535. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
Construction project failure remains a persistent challenge in many developing countries, carrying significant consequences for stakeholders and national development. This study investigates the underlying causes of construction project failure in Lagos, Nigeria, and analyzes both their relative importance and interrelationships. Through a qualitative literature review and semi-structured interviews, 51 distinct failure factors were identified and categorized into eight thematic groups. A structured questionnaire was then administered to construction professionals, including project managers, contractors and consultants, yielding quantitative data for further analysis. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to rank the factors, Spearman's rank correlation assessed the level of agreement among stakeholder groups, and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed the interdependencies among causes. The most critical contributors to project failure were identified as: (1) inflation and price fluctuations, (2) corruption, (3) bureaucratic complexities in permitting and approvals, (4) delayed disbursement of funds and (5) the use of substandard materials. Hierarchical clustering identified four interconnected clusters of failure factors: (1) project execution and management dynamics, (2) regulatory environment and quality control, (3) project initiation and leadership and (4) legal-environmental challenges. These clusters reflect the systemic interplay of operational, institutional and contextual risks. By uncovering these patterns, this study equips stakeholders and policymakers in Lagos and comparable developing-country contexts with a more holistic understanding of project failure dynamics, reinforcing the need for integrated, cross-sectoral strategies to address and mitigate construction failures effectively.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | causes; construction; corruption; developing countries; Lagos metropolis; project failure |
| Index terms: | Lagos, construction professional, dynamics, quality control, clustering, project manager, case study, project failure, Nigeria, inflation, construction project, corruption, questionnaire, complexity, relative importance, approval, developing country, interview, failure factor, relative importance index, strategy, literature review |
| Subjects: | project delivery, data science, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, profession, risk assessment, systems engineering, professional development, management, economic analysis, project completion, contractual role, professional ethics, development economics, production management, Geography |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Legal Issues, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, International Construction, Digital Applications, Contract Administration, Research Practice, Information Management, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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