Financial crises occasioned by economic turbulence and stiff competition in the construction sector have forced Quantity Surveying firms (QSFs) and construction firms into finding innovative ways of surviving and staying above completion in most developing nations. The decline in the Nigerian oil and gas production and export has made it difficult for the government who is the largest client of the construction sector to limit its spending, especially in infrastructure and development projects. QSFs now scramble for effective and efficient strategies to survive the dwindling economic construction. This study assessed the survival strategies of quantity surveying firms (QSFs) during economic turbulence in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The well-structured Quantitative Questionnaire administered using snowball sampling techniques in the study area were adopted in gathering data from the target respondents. With a sample size of 86, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and mean item score (MIS). It was found that the most critical Survival strategy adopted by QSFs during economic turbulence are; improved networking systems to increase reach, effective management of knowledge, retaining experienced staff in the company, reduction of service charges, and improved service delivery. This study concludes that the assessed survival strategies have a high level of importance and plays a critical role in ensuring that Quantity Surveying firms survive the economic downturn and the stiff competitive market of the construction sector. It is recommended that the managers of QSFs should focus on those major strategies that will keep them above the competition, in continuous business, sustainable growth, and survival during economic turbulence.
Construction projects in especially developing countries are characterised by failure to meet project baselines (time, cost, quality). This is worsened by the inefficiencies in the application of contractors' selection criteria during the bidding processes of both civil and building construction projects. The application of contactor section criteria and their benefits in civil engineering projects is an area that is underexplored in construction management literature in the Nigerian context. This study aims to assess the major criteria influencing the selection of contractors on civil engineering construction projects and to determine the impacts of the contractor selection criteria. A well-structured quantitative research questionnaire was purposively administered to experienced construction experts in both clients and consultants organisations to gather data. The gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, relative Importance index (RII), Severity index (RI) and Mann-Whitney Test. It was found that the major criteria that are considered during contractors' selection in civil engineering construction projects are; managerial capability and competent supervisory staff, technical ability, financial soundness, competitive tender/bid price, and health and safety policy/performance. Also, the major benefits of contractors selection criteria in civil engineering construction projects are; enable the client or project owner to select contractors who are performers for the project, facilitate the achievement of project success and the objectives within the scheduled time and cost, to minimise project risks, maximize overall value to the project owner or client, and selection of contractor with sound financial management capabilities. The study recommended that clients and consultants should adopt the major criteria in the selection of suitable contractors for civil engineering construction projects.
Poor project performance issues have been a problem in the construction industry. A large number of projects have failed to meet their goal as a result of the choice of procurement adopted. The traditional method is the commonly used procurement method in the construction industries of the world, and its sequential and linear nature has serious implications on project time, cost and quality baseline performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the traditional procurement system on construction project delivery. The specific objectives of this study were; to assess the influence of the traditional procurement system on construction project parameters, and to determine the factors responsible for the poor bottom lines of traditionally procure construction projects. This study was achieved using a structured questionnaire administered to construction experts using a purposive sampling method. With a reliability index of over 0.800, the data gathered were analysed using appropriate descriptive tools. It was found that projects delivered through the traditional procurement system have the greatest impact on project time parameters, more on cost and quality parameters. Also, poor time, cost and quality performance are caused by major factors such as rework, poor original planning/unrealistic scheduling, poor communication among project participants, lack of competent staff and inadequate proper training of available staff, and design and documentation issues. Project clients and consultants should be careful in project procurement selection to ensure that maximum value and goals are met
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