Outbound logistics channels are of crucial importance for an efficient construction materials logistics management and impacts on customer satisfaction. However, there is limited knowledge of the outbound logistics channels for construction material in Nigeria. This study aims to identify and examine the current outbound logistics channels used by the Nigerian construction material manufacturing industries. A quantitative research method using a case study approach was adopted in this research. The purposive sampling technique was chosen, where six construction material manufactured and distributed within five states capital and Abuja in the North-central region of Nigeria were selected for this study. A research instrument was developed and used in conjunction with an observation protocol in the form of a template. The data were collected through observations, direct measurement onsite and archival records of transactions. A descriptive method of data analysis was employed to analyse the data. Our findings indicate that there exist six alternative outbound logistics channels that can be used separately or in combination with each other to deliver materials to end users. The study concludes that the research finding provides a potential knowledge and understanding of the manufacturers’ outbound logistics channels that can be used at the start of a project to accomplish effective planning and delivery of the whole project. The study also established the average transportation cost per average ton and average transportation cost per average distance driven for construction material delivery. This information can be used for construction material transportation management.

Innovation is at the core of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)/construction micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) world over. Be that as it may, the overwhelming sorts of innovation among enduring and effective CMSMEs, and the effects of such innovation(s) on the achievement of the CMSMEs is hazy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the transcendent sorts of innovation among the successful construction micro, small, and medium enterprises. The examination utilized subjective research technique to exploratively decide the sorts of innovations. Recorded interviews comprised the exploration of information from 43 CMSMEs through 14 states out of the 19 states constituting northern Nigeria. While a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions was utilized to gather information through judgmental and snowballing examining procedure at stage 1 and 2 individually. Information was transcribe interpreted, open and axial codes examined and interpreted. The outcome uncover product innovation as the main type of innovation among different types of innovation and generally in charge of the accomplishment of the CMSMEs considered. The investigation improves the collection of learning regarding basic types of innovations within CMSMEs and proposes that effective CMSMEs give more consideration to product innovation to trigger their prosperity and different types of innovation. Moreover, the aftereffect of the examination proposed failing CMSMEs can endure when they focus on product innovation.

Innovation of a firm is considered the firm’s ability to develop a new or improved product and processes or equipment for the creation and production of new invention. While customers or clients are essential to the realisation and success of innovation in construction firms. However, there is deprived understanding of the impacts of construction firms’ innovation on customers /clients. This paper, hence, exploratively determine the impacts of construction micro, small and medium enterprises’ (CMSMEs) innovation on customers/clients. To achieve this the research employed qualitative research method to exploratively determine the effects of innovation on construction micro, small and medium enterprises’ (CMSMEs) clients. While recorded semi-structured interview with opened ended questions were utilized to gather information from 43 innovative CMSMEs through judgemental and snowballing examining procedure. Information gathered were, open and axial coded, examined and interpreted. The outcome from the study reveal that innovation predominantly impacts on client/customer satisfaction, client/customer retention and client/customer relations. In addition, the findings also indicate minor occurrences of innovation impacting clients’/customers’ value for creativity, clients’/customers’ value for money and after sales services to clients’/customers. This outcome implies that innovation could be postulated as a driver of client satisfaction of a firm resulting in improved client retention and ultimately, the success of the firm. The search improves body of knowledge in respect of the basic effects of innovations on construction firm clients.

There is a limited understanding of automation in construction materials-handling processes utilised by manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This article evaluates the level of utilisation of automation in construction materials-handling operations by manufacturing firms in North-Central Nigeria, to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs. Using a case study research design, quantitative data (observation guide with measurements) were collected from 32 purposively selected construction-material manufacturers. A total of 72 customers’ orders were observed and recorded to be representative of deliveries from the sampled (n=32) manufacturers’ warehouses to other terminals. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed using percentages and results presented in a form of bar charts. The study reveals low-level utilisation of automation in the combined processes of order picking, storage, loading, and offloading of material. These imply increasing material costs and causing a delay in delivery. The article concludes by providing construction-material manufacturers with areas that require automation to optimise material-handling operations. A recommendation is made for further study to explore why automation is not utilised despite its advantage.

Studies have attributed project failure to poor communication management. This research assessed the impact of communication management on the delivery of construction projects in Abuja, with a view to proposing strategies for improving communication management. The quantitative research method was adopted for the study. Data collection was done through questionnaire survey. Analysis of data was carried out using Mean Item Score (MIS) and Relation Importance Index (RII). Results of the study revealed that the most important causes of poor communication management on construction projects range from Poor feedback (RII = 0.89) to Lack of training (RII = 0.82). The influence of communication management on the cost (MIS = 3.80-4.55), time (MIS = 3.83-4.50) and quality (MIS = 3.53-4.25) delivery of construction projects is significant. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the impact of communication management on the delivery of construction projects in Abuja is significant. It was recommended that project managers should avoid the major causes of poor communication management which range from “Ineffective communication channel used” to “Lack of training” in order to minimise potential dispute, misunderstanding and project failures as a result of poor management of communication on project sites. Keywords: Communication, Communication Management, Construction Projects, Cost. Quality, Time.