TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Certification Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgements iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE: - GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
1.0
Introduction
1.1 Background of
the Study
1.2 Statement of the
Problem
1.3 Aim and
Objectives
1.4 Significance of
the Study
1.5 Scope of the
Study
1.6 Research
Hypotheses
1.7 Research
Question
1.8 Definition of
Terms
CHAPTER TWO: -
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0
Literature
Review
2.1 The Role of
Design Professionals in the Construction Project Chain
2.2 The Current Use of ICT in Professional Practice
in Construction
2.3 Constraints to
ICT Use
2.4 Benefit of ICT
2.5 The Current Use
of ICT and Its Future Prospects
CHAPTER THREE: -
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1
Research
Design
3.2
Research
Hypotheses
3.3
Method
of Data Collection
3.4
The
Questionnaire
3.5
Data
Analysis
3.6
Factors
Influencing the Computerization of Professional Practice
3.7
Profile
of Respondent
CHAPTER FOUR: - DATA
PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1
Use
of Communication System by the Professional
4.2
Test
of Hypotheses
4.3
Discussion
on Result
CHAPTER FIVE: - SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0
Summary
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendation
References
CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The
construction industry is so hierarchical and fragmented in nature that some of
the major participants do not consider themselves to be part of the same
industry (Hindle, 2000). This requires
close coordination among a large number of specialized but interdependent organizations
and individual to achieve the cost, time and quality goals of a construction
project (Toole, 2003). Hence, according
to Maqsood, (2004), a major construction process demands heavy exchange of data
and information between project participants on a daily basis.
Rivard
(2004) has identified, the two vital roles information plays in all
construction projects as the specification of the resulting product (design
information) and the initiation and control of the activities required for
constructing the facility (management information). Design consultants, (architects, engineers
and quantity surveyors), acting as professional advisers to the client, are
largely responsible for the production and dissemination of both the design and
management information among the various project participants. According to
Mohammed & Steward (2003), the majority of construction process information
is heavily based upon traditional means of communication such as face – to – face
meetings and the exchange of paper documents in the form of technical drawings,
specifications and site instructions.
This is why the construction industry has for many years suffered from
difficult - to – access, out – of –date and incomplete information (Shoesmith,
1995). As the management of
construction, like most other industries, requires accurate information, the
need to increase the efficiency of information management by exchanging massive
volumes of information at high speed and
at relatively low cost has been long recognized by the industry. (Deng, 2001).
According
to Nkado (2000), the effectiveness of consultants in meeting the needs of
clients in the built environment is influenced
by their recognition and application
of context – relevant competencies.
Architectural, engineering and quantity surveying professionals are the
consultants traditionally responsible for the production and management of most
of the project information and documents required by such other project
participants as contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for the execution of
construction projects. The complex and
uncertain nature of construction projects demands the appointment of capable
consultants, to realize the client’s interests in a project (Ng & Chow,
2004). A common competency required of
these, consultants is the ability to manage and communicate project information
and documents. In fact, a core issue in
the driver for increased productivity in the construction industry is the
effective management of information, both in the form of information flows that
permit rapid inter-organizational transaction between project participants, and
in the form of information accumulated, Coded and stored in firm database
structures (Mohammed & Stewart, 2003).
Thus from quantity surveyors, a basic competency in data, information
and information technology is required (RICS, 1998), while from engineers, the
availability of computer facilities in a measure of technical capacity (Ng
& Chow, 2004). In the case of
architects, the effective communication of design information to contractors is
a key performance criterion (Oyedele & Tham, 2005). It has become a tactical necessity for
these consultants and other project
participants to integrate their information systems with each other to improve
the flow of information between them and enhance the effectiveness of decision
–making (Li 2000).the adoption and use of ICT facilitates this much-needed
integration in the construction industry (Li et al., 2000; Liston et a.,, 2000;
Mohammed Stewart, 2003).
Unfortunately,
however, while there are reports of the use of ICT in the construction
industries of industrialized countries like the US
(Issa et al., 2003; Toole, 2003; Canada
(Rivard, 2000; Rivard et al., 2004); Sweden,
Denmark and Finland (Samuelson, 2002) and New Zealand (Doherty, 1997), among others,
comparatively few (if any) exist for a developing country like Nigeria. Indeed, according to Pamulu & Bhuta
(2004), very few reports exist of research in ICT in developing countries. While It is not surprising that findings are
similar in many respects for these industries countries, the results, according
to Austin (1990), might not be applicable to a developing country (like
Nigeria) due to differences in the cultural, socio-economic and regulatory
environments (Jarvenpaa et al., 1998); Dewan 2000; Seyal (2000).
This study is therefore an attempt to evaluate the impact of ICT on
professional practice in the Nigerian construction industry in the context of a
developing economy to provide the true picture of the use of ICT in a typical non-industrialized
country. Thus, it is believed, will
extend the frontiers of knowledge on the subject beyond the North American and
European experiences. It is against this
background that the paper presents an empirical analysis of the impact of ICT
on the practices of 107 professional consulting firms in Nigeria, comprising 29
architectural, 38 engineering and 40 quantity surveying practices.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
“Insufficient / erratic
power supply” is the important constraint to widespread adoption of ICT and
“Fear of ICT making professionals redundant” is the least important among the
13 constraints assessed.
The unassailable number 1 ranking of
“Insufficient/erratic power supply” contracts sharply with the results of
studies in several developed countries (reported by Doherty, 1977; Rivard,
2000; Samuelson, 2002; and Goh, 2005) which made no mention of electricity and
other infrastructure as obstacles. While
the supply of electricity is taken for granted in developed countries, in Nigeria
it is unreliable. (AfDB & OECD, 2004), leading to high production costs for
companies, which are forced to procure and run their own power generating
facilities. This adds significantly not
only to the cost of using ICT but also to the cost of doing business generally
in Nigeria.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study is
to access the impact of ICT on professional consulting firms in the Nigerian
construction industry. To this end, the
specific objectives are to:
1.
Identify
and assess the factors that determine the use of ICT by construction consultants
in Nigeria.
2.
Identify
and assess the constraints to the use of ICT by the consultants
3.
Identify
and assess the benefits of ICT use to the consultants
4.
Assess
the current use and the prospects for increased use of ICT among consultants in
the near future.
1.4 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY
The ranking of the eight benefits of
ICT indicates that the three main benefits are “makes the professional’s job
easier” “facilitates decision making”
and “savings in operating costs”. The
overwhelming premium of the respondents placed on the fact that ICT makes the professional’s
job easier may be out of the realization that it offers the best solution to
some of the problems of human inefficiency which, according to Oyedele &
Tham (2005), are so severe in the Nigerian construction industry.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this research is limited
to the usage of ICT tool in the Development of building construction industry
in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is limited to this place alone in order to
ensure the use of ICT on professional consulting firm in Lagos construction.
1.6
RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
The study
tested the following null (H0) and corresponding alternative (HA)
hypotheses based on groups of attributes and relevant factors obtained from the
literature.
A. H0: There is no agreement among
construction consultants on the factors
that determine the use of ICT by consulting firms
HA : There is agreement among
construction consultants on the factors that determine the use of ICT by
consulting firms.
B. H0: There is no agreement
among construction consultants on the factors that impede the use of ICT by
consulting firms.
HA:
There is agreement among construction consultants on the factors that
impede the use of ICT by consulting firms.
1.7
RESEARCH QUESTION
1.
What
are the factors that significantly affect the benefit of information and communication
technology (ICT) and the severity of the impending factors?
2.
How
does ICT and construction relates to consultancy firms
3.
What
are the level of ICT use by professionals
1.8
DEFINITION OF TERMS
v Construction Industry: The building of something, especially a large structure such as a house
road or bridge.
v Consultancy Firm: - These are expert who charge a fee for providing advice or services in
a particular field.
v Hardware:
- These are equipment and devices
that make up a computer system as opposed to the program use on it.
v Software: -
This is program and application that can be run on a computer system e.g. word
processing or database packages (often used before a noun).
v Communication: - The exchange of information between people e.g. by means of speaking, writing
or using a common system of using behavior.
v Information: -
The collection facts and data about a specific subject.
v Technology: -
The study development and application of devices, machines and techniques for
manufacturing and productive processes.
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