Publication Title Construction Tradespeople Perception of the Factors Motivating Labour Productivity on Construction Projects Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS VOL. 7 NO. 2 (2020) 50-68
Paper Link https://doi.org/10.30880/jtmb.2020.07.02.005
Publication Authors Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze1*, William Nkeonyeasua Nwaki2, Bernard Inibuh Obonadhuze3
Year Published 2020-02-02
Abstract Construction productivity defines the wealth of a nation as well as the well-being of its citizenry, because it plays a critical role in the overall economic development of a nation. However, there has been a reported decline in labour productivity which has led to poor delivery of construction projects. This issue has been among the leading causes of schedule and cost overruns, quality issues, claims and conflicts, especially in key capital construction projects globally. Poor labour productivity is attributed to the reaction of workers on certain factors. The purpose of this study is to assess construction tradespeople perception of the factors motivating labour productivity on construction projects. To achieve this purpose, semi-structured interview and questionnaire, and a stratified purposeful sampling technique was adopted to gather data from construction tradespeople in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data gathered through survey from 106 construction tradespeople, were analysed using frequencies, percentage and factor analysis. The data gathered from 25 interviewees were analysed using thematic analysis. The study concluded that major factors motivating construction tradespeople productivity on construction projects are knowledge and salary-related factors; job security and planning related factors; health, safety and promotion related factor; overtime and work area condition; team building and equipment factors; supervision and recognition factors; management and teamwork factors; and materials and work methods. Furthermore, the implication of the role of financial and non-financial motivators is brought to the fore in ensuring improved and sustainable labour productivity on construction projects. The study recommended that construction organisations should utilise a good mix of financial and non-financial productivity motivators in getting the best out of their employees, especially the site operatives.
Publication Title LEAN CONSTRUCTION AS A PANACEA FOR POOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PERFORMANCE Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications
Publication Authors William Nkeonyeasua Nwaki*1 and Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze2
Year Published 2020-12-12
Abstract Recurring problems in the delivery of construction projects have been time and cost overruns, poor quality, poor health and safety, waste and loss of value. This situation is worsened by the reluctance of construction organisations to fully implement lean construction technique which has proved to be an innovative solution to these problems. This study assessed construction professionals’ perception of the awareness, adoption and benefits of lean construction in remedying poor construction project performance in the south-south region of Nigeria. A well-structure questionnaire distributed by hand and electronically using the snowball sampling technique were used to gather data from the participants from both the private and public organisations. Frequency, percentage and factor analysis were used to analyse the collected data. It was found that the level of awareness of lean construction is high but it s adoption is low. Lean construction is a panacea for poor construction project performance because of it s cost related benefits, value and relationship benefits, environmental benefits, quality improvement benefits, motivation and productivity benefits, profitability and market benefits, time and work flow benefits, waste reduction benefits, and HS and rework reduction benefits. The creation of dedicated department/team for driving the lean initiative is recommended.
Publication Title MAJOR BARRIERS ASSESSMENT OF LEAN CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS DELIVERY Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development, 4(1): 63-82 (2021) ISSN 2407-4438
Publication Authors William Nwaki1*, Emmanuel Eze2, Imoleayo Awodele2
Year Published 2021-02-02
Abstract The construction sector is facing challenges of meeting client’s value and end-user satisfaction, and this situation is worsened by customers’ dynamic demands for quality and speedy delivery without loss of value. Lean concept has been advocated to be a panacea to poor project performance, and it, however, has a high awareness level but with little implementation among construction organizations especially in developing countries including Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to assess the major barriers to lean construction application on construction project delivery, to suggest possible measures for overcoming them. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data from construction professionals in the south-south, Nigeria using electronic means and snowball sampling technique. Data gathered were analyzed using frequency, percentage and factor analysis. It was found that the major cluster of barriers to lean implementation are technology and knowledge barrier, leadership and management barrier, culture and complexity barrier, engagement and relationship barriers, financial barriers, and communication barriers. It was recommended that adequate management and leadership support is needed for entrenching lean construction techniques into the culture of operations of construction organisations.
Publication Title Rejuvenating the Market for Earth-Based Building Construction Materials in a Developing Economy Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher Civil and Sustainable Urban Engineering 2(2), 2022, 110-127
Paper Link https://doi.org/10.53623/csue.v2i2.140
Publication Authors William Nwaki1*, Emmanuel Eze2
Year Published 2022-02-02
Abstract Earth-based materials are useful in building and engineering construction projects globally, but they have largely remained unextracted and wasted, and their use has been limited to rural areas and avoided in modern buildings in the cities. The sustainability market in developing countries is still largely unsaturated and undertapped. This situation is blamed on lack of knowledge of the potential, benefits, and characteristics of green and sustainable building materials. This study aimed at determining the benefits of earth-based materials that could lead to the rejuvenation of the market for their adoption in building construction projects in the urban areas of a developing economy. The study adopted a structured questionnaire administered via electronic means to construction experts using the snowball sampling technique in Nigeria. With a response rate of 62.94% and a reliability index of over 0.90, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The study revealed that the main clusters of benefits of earth-based materials that can stimulate the market for these materials in urban areas are "cost and pollution-related benefits," "emissions and environmental benefits," "waste and workability benefits," "sound and fire-related benefits," and "thermal insulation and resource efficiency." The study recommended that housing investors, clients, and stakeholders should capitalise on the availability of large quantities of earthen materials to improve the quantity of housing provisions in cities and urban areas.
Publication Title THE IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON THE SURVIVAL AND SUSTENANCE OF CONSTRUCTION ORGANISATIONS Download PDF
Publication Type journal
Publisher CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development, 3(2): 173-188 (2020) ISSN 2407-4438
Publication Authors Onyealilam Onyeagam1*, William Nwaki2, Bernard Obonadhuze3, Mohammed Zakariyau4
Year Published 2020-02-02
Abstract The dynamics in technological advancement and innovations in construction methods have caused construction organizations to operate in a highly competitive environment. As knowledge is an essential asset for surviving and remaining competitive in the construction industry, this study investigates the impact of knowledge management practices on the survival and sustenance of construction organizations. Construction professionals in Abuja-Nigeria were sampled using a well-structured questionnaire and multi-sampling techniques. The results of the study show that there is a low level of implementation of Knowledge Management among the construction organizations. Furthermore, it is found that the significant benefits of KM implementation are to improve the firm's competitive position, risks reduction, and better collaboration, to encourage innovation and profitability, faster problem solving, to improve project pricing, and to improve client satisfaction and patronage. It can be concluded that KM is a tactical and strategic competitive tool for surviving high competition in the construction industry. To ensure knowledge exchange between the locals and expatriates, the government should make a 'knowledge management plan' an essential part of the contract documents for pre-qualification and selection criteria.