| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS: EXAMINING FACTORS DETERMINING THE SELECTION OF STRATEGIES USED |
– by Ifeoluwa Benjamin Oluleye, Abiodun Kolawole Oyetunji and Mukaila Bamidele Ogunleye
Abstract
Disputes are inevitable in human interaction during business transactions. There are growing numbers of reported cases associated with disputes in real estate. Disputants always seek for ways to resolve and manage the varying issues arising from these transactions. This study examined the choice of dispute resolution strategies and the factors influencing its adoption in real estate in the bid to provide information capable of promoting peaceful co-existence amongst disputant parties. Structured questionnaires were administered to 60 disputants and 24 real estate firms in Akure, Nigeria and the information collected were analysed using the Mean Item Score (MIS). Findings showed that arbitration, litigation, Ijoko Ojogbon (a weekly TV-series program on land dispute settlement) and palace court are the top three most adopted strategies for real estate dispute resolution in the study location. Litigation, as found out, is being sought when ADR fails to pacify the issue at hand. The traditional strategies of dispute resolution such as Ijoko-Ojogbon and palace court were more prominent among the disputant because the time involved, the verdict enforcement and the cost in obtaining a judgement are relatively cheaper and are adduced as the major factors determining the choice of resolution strategy adopted by the disputants. It is therefore recommended that the crippling formalism and the unnecessary delay involved in litigation should be checked to hasten the resolution process. The traditional strategies of dispute resolution should be widely embraced, while the government at all levels should put up laws that will further empower traditional ADR process.
Keywords: Disputant, dispute resolution strategy, real estate transactions
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IN UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT: THE STAKEHOLDERS’ VIEWPOINTS |
– by Richard Jimoh, Hyluwa Lelle, Luqman Oyewobi, Abdulquadir Bilau and Momoh Sani
Abstract
Improvements on practices and materials have made it reasonable to do what might have been unlikely just few years ago; however, much remains to be done in order to reduce the environmental impact of our structures so as to achieve sustainable built environment. The study therefore assessed the sustainable practices in a university environment in North East Nigeria with a view to developing strategies that will improve sustainable construction in the built environment. This was done through the interview of six stakeholders who played active roles in the design, construction and occupation of the buildings. In addition, document analysis was carried out on the design and change orders. Findings indicated that users’ need and sustainable resources were incorporated during the design stage; the use of locally sourced materials during construction stage was also evident. Several challenges were also encountered such as how to integrate sustainable and innovative materials and with the features that were obtainable in North-East Nigeria, incomplete design information and specifications because designers were United States based who had limited information on the terrain of the location. The strategies adopted were traceable to the design and construction stages of the buildings based on the lessons learnt from the 1st building. The study has been able to give several insights in terms of innovations adopted in the construction of two buildings using sustainable construction principles which could be leveraged on by other institutions of higher learning in terms of theoretical and practical perspectives for students and practitioners in the industry when they are engaged in similar projects.
Keywords: Nigeria, stakeholders, campus sustainability, sustainable practices, university environment
IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY IN UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT: THE STAKEHOLDERS’ VIEWPOINTS
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: RISK PERCEPTIONS AMONG SME DEVELOPERS: A CASE STUDY OF THAILAND’S REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY |
– by Sukulpat Khumpaisal, Katkate Bunnag and Isaac A. Jamieson
Abstract
Risks may be perceived as a multidimensional probability that impacts different people in different ways. Risks appear in most aspects of everyday life and in every type of business organisation. In the Thai real estate development domain, small and medium enterprise (SMEs) developers lacking appropriate specialist knowledge, competitive strategies and resources often have their projects greater exposed to a variety of risks. This paper aims to examine the SME developers’ perceptions towards risks internally originated within their organisations, and to assess the consequences and likelihood of such risks. In order to successfully achieve this objective, the authors distributed questionnaires to SME developers in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area and analysed the data received from 200 SME respondents to that call. It can be suggested from the results obtained that SMEs consider the following as high impact risks: work not being finished as specified; use of wrong planning strategies; staff corruption or conflicts of interest; lack of financial liquidity; employees lacking appropriate work experience and skills; and project delays. Thus, this paper suggests that SME owners should respond to the aforementioned risks by reducing these key risk factors and/or finding new techniques to control and mitigate them to an acceptable level.
Keywords: Perception towards risks, internal risks, small and medium enterprise (SME) developers, real estate development, Thailand
RISK PERCEPTIONS AMONG SME DEVELOPERS: A CASE STUDY OF THAILAND’S REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: EMPLOYERS’ DEMAND FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONALS’ EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS IN NIGERIA: CONTENT ANALYSIS OF JOB ADVERTISEMENTS |
– by John Oko Ameh and Camilus Ebuka Chukwujekwu
Abstract
The proportion of unemployed professionals in the built environment in Nigeria is alarming; yet there is an acute shortfall in skilled manpower in the construction industry, as employers continue to face recruitment dilemma due to paucity of applicants with the requisite employability-characteristics. This study, therefore, examines the job and person specifications required in job advertisements for professionals in the built environment. Conceptual content analysis was used to extract data from 500 job advertisements using quota sampling technique from a heterogeneous population, following which descriptive statistical methods were adopted for analysis. The study reveals the following in the built environment in Nigeria: Architects, Estate Surveyors and Quantity Surveyors are dominant job titles in advertisement for professionals; Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are the major hubs for employment; job related employability characteristics include possession of B.Sc. degree/HND, with 3-5 years post qualification work experience, but without reference made to classification of degree or diploma; and dominant personal attributes required of applicants by employers are reliability, confidence and good attitude; Estate Management profession is highly sought after by employers. Therefore, to enhance graduates’ employability, the study recommends mandatory one-year on-the-job industry experience as part of hard skill requirements; a balance in hard and soft skills, and increased budgetary allocation for education and further training of graduates in the discipline in high demand by employers.
Keywords: Built environment profession, employers’ demand, employability skills, job advertisement, Nigeria
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: ASSESSMENT OF THE TRIGGERS OF INEFFICIENT MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES BY CONSTRUCTION SMEs IN NIGERIA |
– by Chidiebere Emmanuel Eze, Imoleayo Abraham Awodele, Adesoji Anthony Adegboyega, Onyealilam Peter Onyeagam and Jibrin Ahmed Guto
Abstract
Inefficient material management throughout the construction projects value chain has resulted to poor performance especially in terms of time, cost, quality, and productivity. Even well-organised large construction organisations still fall prey to this project performance killer; as adequate attention is not given to material management as a necessary key project management function. Thus, this study assessed the factors that trigger inefficient material management practices by construction SMEs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The study utilised a quantitative survey method and convenience sampling technique in the distribution of the structured questionnaire used to gather data from project managers, procurement officers and construction professionals working with the construction SMEs. With a 93.33% response rate, the gathered data were analysed using percentage, frequencies and factor analysis with principal component analysis. It was found that the major triggers of inefficient materials management among construction SMEs are; traditional approach and maintenance issues, manufacturer error and poor planning, inventory management issues, poor handling of procurement, materials estimating problems, storage problems and insecurity, and communication issues. It was concluded that the predominance of these triggers in the management of materials among construction SMEs would result in a continued poor performance of construction projects, especially with regards to project time, cost, quality and productivity. The study recommends a move away from the traditional methods of managing materials and the adoption of a technological-based material management system.
Keywords: Construction industry, construction SMEs, construction project performance, inefficient material management, Nigeria
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: AWARENESS OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN NIGERIA |
– by Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf, Maimuna Orire Abdulraheem, Wasiyu Mayowa Raheem, Ranti Taibat Adebiyi, Soliu Idris and Stephen Eyinaya Eluwa
Abstract
The need to slow down climate change and global warming has made sustainable development major issue among policy makers and world leaders. Awareness on sustainability concept among industry practitioners is crucial in influencing design, materials selection and construction methods. The aim of this study is to examine the level of awareness on key sustainability concepts and factors that influence their adoption during construction by practitioners in Nigeria. Through an online survey, 120 copies of semi-structured questionnaire were administered on built environment practitioners such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, and builders working in client, contracting, consulting and academia with 77% response rate. Factorial two-way ANOVA was performed to examine if there are differences in the level of awareness of factors contributing to sustainable construction among the groupings. Also, binomial logit regression analysis was adopted in predicting the factors that significantly influence adoption of sustainability concept among practitioners in construction industry. The study revealed that professionals from client organization recorded highest (3.8) mean score in terms of awareness on sustainability concept followed by those from academia (3.6), consulting (3.0) and contracting (2.2). In terms of factors that significantly influence adoption of sustainability concept during construction, findings from the study revealed that academic qualification (β =2.226, p<0.05) and type of organization (β =1.127, p<0.05) significantly influence adoption of sustainability concept during construction. Practitioners with high academic qualification and those from client organization, exhibited high level of awareness on sustainability concept, this equally influenced their adoption of key elements of sustainability (site planning, energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy, resource conservation, material reuse, indoor environmental quality) during construction. The determination of the level of awareness and adoption of factors contributing to sustainable construction by practitioners will serve as guide to industry practitioners regarding issues to integrate into design and construction project from inception to completion. To improve awareness of sustainable practices in the industry, stakeholders should direct efforts towards organizing seminars, conferences and workshops centered on sustainable construction through the various professional bodies at state and local government levels.
Keywords: Awareness, environmental sustainability, green building, Nigeria, sustainable construction
AWARENESS OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN NIGERIA
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: IMPACTS OF HOUSEHOLDS’ PRIOR EXPERIENCE ON CURRENT HOUSING SATISFACTION: A STUDY OF SELECTED ESTATES IN LAGOS, NIGERIA |
– by Akintade Samuel Afolayan
Abstract
Researchers in housing satisfaction mostly limit selection of research variables to current on-site parameters of the housing environment. Thus, variables perceived as not having explicit relationships with overall housing satisfaction are often relegated. However, users’ current satisfaction ratings are usually influenced by such relegated background variables, including user’s prior-experience in erstwhile housing environments. This paper explores the prospects of users’ housing background experience in influencing the build-up to determining current levels of satisfaction. The survey utilised structured self-administered questionnaires on a sample of 572 households in selected estates in the study area. The retrieved 283 were edited and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Housing relative satisfaction indices were calculated for the respective estates first from mathematical formula and then compared with mean scores. A hypothesis was tested with Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation to establish a significant relationship between Satisfaction with Prior Housing Environment (SATPRIORHSE) and current Overall Housing Relative Satisfaction (OVERALLHRSAT). A further test with one-way ANOVA confirmed the outcome of the earlier test. The study revealed positive correlation of though, low coefficient of +0.281, between SATPRIORHSE and OVEARALLHRSAT. This was significant at the 0.01 (2-tailed) level. This analysis showed a significant relationship between the respondents’ prior housing and the recorded level of housing satisfaction in the current estates. The respondents who experienced various levels of low-satisfaction with their former housing recorded higher rates of satisfaction with current housing in the estates, than those who had better prior experiences. The research underscores the relevance of ‘prior experience’ variable in assessment of current housing satisfaction levels. When rigorous financial analysis is involved, an underplay of such variable could lead to wrong conclusions, with misapplication of research outcomes accompanied by serious financial implications. The user’s prior-experience determines the housing norms on which satisfaction is premised.
Keywords: Housing, housing experience, housing norm, housing research variables, user satisfaction
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: RISK ANALYSIS ON THE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS OF ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT, AND CONSTRUCTION (EPC) PROJECTS |
– by Mohammed Ali Berawi, Aryartha Soepardi and Mustika Sari
Abstract
Equipment and material non-compliance with the project requirements is one of the issues causing delay in large EPC projects as rework actions are inevitable. Detecting and controlling the potential risks at the procurement process of equipment and material can be done to anticipate this issue. This study aims to identify the major risks and recommend the response strategies to the equipment and material non-compliance by adopting a quantitative method through expert validation using Delphi method, questionnaire surveys, and risk analysis, as well as qualitative method through benchmarking study and interview with experts. The result of this study shows that lacking in the inspection of requirement, complete Request for Quotation (RFQ) information, contract term verification, fixed design requirements, attention to Purchase Order (PO) review, supervision to engineering design and drawing, and proper fabrication procedure are major risks that can potentially cause non-compliance. Improvement in communication between stakeholders and supervision to ensure the conformity with specifications are considered as the key elements in mitigating the identified major risks.
Keywords: Procurement process, non-compliance, risk analysis, EPC projects
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: TOWARDS SMART CITIES: DIGITAL CONTENT AND URBAN GOVERNANCE IN THE CITY OF MASVINGO, ZIMBABWE |
– by Average Chigwenya and Phainos Wadzanai
Abstract
The urban society of today has grown to be a more sophisticated society because of the various sub-systems that exist in the city. This has made the management of urban areas that uses traditional ways to become more daunting. It has been further complicated by the rapid urbanization that has also been experienced in many of the cities today. These problems can be tackled effectively by adopting the smart city concept of urban management where technology is integrated into the way cities do their businesses. The research aimed to examine how technology has been adopted in urban planning and management in the City of Masvingo and how these technologies, or lack of them, have been affecting the governance of the city. The research used a mixed-methods approach to inquiry, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gather data. A questionnaire survey was used as the quantitative tool of data collection and in-depth interviews and field observations were the qualitative methods used to collect qualitative data. The questionnaire was administered to collect information on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the city and how it was aiding the governance of the city. In-depth interviews were done with the leaders of planning organizations in the city and they provided information on the use of ICTs, and how they are helping in the planning and governance of the city. The research found out that, the city has not yet made any significant progress in the adoption of ICTs in urban planning. It is therefore, recommended that planners should be trained to use ICTs and the private sector should be involved in financing the development of infrastructure and networks for digital and e-planning in the city. On top of that, the government needs to play a leading role in promoting the digitization of the planning process.
Keywords: Urban planning, participatory planning, inclusive, information technology
TOWARDS SMART CITIES: DIGITAL CONTENT AND URBAN GOVERNANCE IN THE CITY OF MASVINGO, ZIMBABWE
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: FACTORS INFLUENCING RENTAL AND CAPITAL VALUES OF RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN ABUJA, NIGERIA |
– by Nurudeen Akinsola Bello, Adetoye Sulaiman Adepoju and Wasiu Ayobami Durosinmi
Abstract
There are various purposes the rental or capital values of residential investment property could be sought. However, most previous studies on factors influencing value of residential investment property are expressed in a general term; not specifically indicating whether rental or capital value. This may mislead investors in making the wrong investment decision. Using aggregation and disaggregation approach, this study examined the general and specific factors determining the rental and capital values of residential investment property in Abuja, Nigeria with a view to providing information that could guide the investment decisions. With the use of a structured questionnaire, cross sectional survey was adopted to obtain the perceptual opinion from 136 estate surveying and valuation firms in the study area. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics of Relative Important Index (RII). The findings reveal a variation in the outcome of general factors and specific factors and that in specific term, factors influencing the capital value are significantly more in quantity and rating than the ones influencing the rental value. Out of the 23 (13 for rental and 10 for capital value) general determining factors, 11(3 for rental and 8 for capital value) are actually significant. Average number of rooms; change in maintenance cost/taxes and the neighbourhood characteristics mainly influence the rental value of residential property while cost of construction; type of structure/quality of facilities; potential of rental growth; title and size of the land; neighbourhood attributes; inflation impact; size and structural characteristics and state of supply in property market are the main factors influencing the capital value. This noted variation is an indication for property investment stakeholders to be cautious and specific in the selection of the most appropriate determining factors for their investment objective to avoid investment decision errors.
Keywords: Residential investment property, rental value, capital value, influencing factors
FACTORS INFLUENCING RENTAL AND CAPITAL VALUES OF RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN ABUJA, NIGERIA
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: EXPLORING SPATIAL PATTERN OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUE AROUND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA |
– by Oyinloluwa B. Adebara, Temitope M. Adebara, Adewumi I. Badiora and Deborah B. Ojo
Abstract
Cities in both developed and developing economies are characterised by various cultural heritage sites. Such sites can impact the value of residential properties around them either positively or negatively. In view of this, this study explores the spatial pattern of residential property values around cultural heritage sites in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. One (1) cultural heritage site each was purposively selected in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. Furthermore, systematic sampling technique was used to select one of every twenty (20) buildings within different radii (1-300, 301-600 and 601-900 meters) of the selected cultural heritage sites. A total of two hundred and twenty-three (223) buildings were selected. Hence, 223 questionnaires were administered on the residents of the buildings. Interview was also conducted on ten (10) real estate practitioners in the study area to optimally provide answers rental values of residential properties around the cultural heritage sites. The extracted data were analysed using multiple regression and rent differential technique. Findings showed that as distance increases from the cultural heritage sites, the average rental value of residential properties was also on the increase in the core and sub-urban areas of Ile-Ife. It was therefore established that there exists a positive relationship between the distance from cultural heritage sites and rental values of residential properties. The study further revealed that cultural heritage sites had a negative impact on the rental values of proximate residential properties in the study area. The study however concluded that the rental values of residential properties reflect distance to cultural heritage sites. It is recommended that property investors should give adequate attention to location to make accurate and dependable decisions on the supply of residential properties, especially in cities where there are cultural heritage sites.
Keywords: Cultural heritage sites, developing economy, Ile-Ife, rental value, residential properties
| Journal Volume 14, Issue 1, ISSN: 1823-8505 Date: June, 2020 |
| Title: COMPLIANCE WITH THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN JOHOR, MALAYSIA |
– by Bruno Lot Tanko, Low Chien Ting and John Ebhohimen Idiake
Abstract
The construction environment is one of the most dangerous workplaces where several fatal accidents have been recorded. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has therefore been used as a vital protection in ensuring the health and safety of workers on construction sites. A few findings reveal that PPE is usually not worn by construction workers in Malaysia. The purpose of this research was to investigate the awareness and compliance with PPE usage on construction sites in Johor, Malaysia. A mixed-method research approach was adopted for the study. A total of 95 questionnaires were distributed to workers on nine (9) construction sites in Johor with a response rate of 72%. The data analysis method utilised quantitative analysis using mean values, and qualitative analysis using coding of real-time observations. Both quantitative and qualitative methods reveal head, foot, body, and hand PPE as the most commonly used PPE among construction workers on sites in Johor. The findings also reveal a considerable level of awareness but a low level of compliance with the use of PPE by construction workers in Johor as only three (3) PPE out of eight (8) had a compliance level above the average mean of 2.5. Hence, approaches such as provision of safety training and penalties to workers who fail to comply with PPE usage should be implemented to enhance compliance with the use of PPE on construction sites.
Keywords: Awareness and compliance, construction health and safety, PPE, Johor