Osuizugbo, I C; Okolie, K C and Oyeyipo, O O (2023) Factors influencing buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. Construction Innovation, 23(5), pp. 917-938. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: Due to the need to enhance the buildability of building designs in building construction industry, a buildability assessment framework was developed for use in Nigeria. This paper aims to investigate and determine the factors influencing buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry with the view to improving buildability of building designs. To address the aim, this study will provide answers to the following research question: what are the factors hindering and supporting the implementation of buildability assessment in the Nigerian construction industry? Design/methodology/approach: Survey research method was adopted for the study. Questionnaires were administered to purposively selected group of architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors involved in construction project delivery within the client, consulting and contracting organisations in Nigeria. A total of 368 questionnaires were distributed among the sampled participants, out of which a total of 219 representing 60% were sufficiently filled and returned. Data collected were analysed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Findings: The results revealed owner’s commitment, clients' awareness of the benefits of conducting buildability assessment on building design, unity among different professionals in the construction industry, designers consider buildability important, adequate coordination among different design disciplines, adequate channel for coordination and communication between designers and constructors at the design stage and adequate support from the government as the topmost seven factors supporting buildability assessment implementation in the construction sector of Nigeria. Second, the study revealed that poor coordination among different design disciplines, lack of buildability assessment awareness, design review pattern where construction personnel (builders) are invited to assess the building production information, unwillingness to invest extra money and effort during the early stage of project and designers value aesthetics and functionalities more than buildability in their designs are the topmost five factors hindering buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. Originality/value: The study provides detailed insights into the factors supporting and hindering buildability assessment implementation in the Nigerian construction industry. The findings indicate the need to enlighten principal stakeholders in construction about buildability and the outcome of the buildability assessment tool. This information can motivate principal stakeholders in implementing and practising buildability assessment.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | buildability assessment; construction industry; implementation; influencing; Nigeria |
| Index terms: | construction sector, contracting organization, methodology, questionnaire, design stage, functionality, construction personnel, building construction, commitment, builder, construction project delivery, survey, buildability, statistics, construction industry, implementation, coordination, architect, aesthetic, owner, engineer, Nigeria, designer, quantity surveying, building design |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, professional practice, architectural design, psychology, design features, practitioner, workforce, profession, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, industry analysis, design efficiency, project controls, sociology, building construction, Geography, factor and component analysis, management, research methods |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Time Control, Organizational Design, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| 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