ABSTRACT
This study “innovation process and practices in construction industry in
Anambra State of Nigeria” examined and assessed the level of innovation in the
construction industry. An analysis of the relevant literatures was carried out.
The analysis revealed that there are innovation drivers that facilitate or inhibit
innovation in the construction industry. These include clients, manufacturers,
professional bodies, academic institutions, government, consultants and
contractors. The literature review shows that attention to these key influences
would be a key component of effective innovation strategy. A field survey was
carried out to actually ascertain how innovation has fared in the construction
industry. Variables were drawn from the literature review and the data
generated were analysed using simple percentages (&) and mean scores. The
responses from the respondents revealed that the construction industry in
Anambra State has really not effected acceptable level of innovative processes
and practices. Patnering / collaboration is not practiced and encouraged. Also
the unhealthy rivalry and disharmony that often exist among construction
professionals, inhibits innovation practices. The building code which itself is an
innovation lacks an appropriate legislation for its enforcement. The study
recommends that professional bodies, the academia and indeed all stakeholders
in the construction industry need to intensify effort towards innovative
processes and practices. Government should in particular encourage indigenous
construction firms through the award of contract that require high technical
experience such as high rise building and bridge construction. Efforts should be
made by the relevant government agencies or authorities to enforce the building
code through appropriate legislation.
vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – vi
List of Tables – – – – – – – – ix
List of Figures – – – – – – – x
CHAPTER ONE – Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of Problem – – – – – – 2
1.3 Aim and Objectives – – – – – – 3
1.4 Scope and Limitation of Study – – – – – 3
1.5 Significance of Study – – – – – – 4
1.6 Research Questions – – – – – – 4
1.7 The Study Area – – – – – – – 5
CHAPTER TWO – Literature Review
2.1 Introduction – – – – – – – 7
2.2 Concept of Innovation – – – – – – 8
2.3 Need for Innovation in the Construction Industry – – 10
2.4 The Nature of the Construction Industry
and its Effect on Innovation – – – – – 12
2.5 Forms of Innovation – – – – – – 16
2.5.1 Innovative Procurement Strategy – – – – 17
vii
2.5.1.1 Innovative Delivery Methods – – – – – 19
2.5.1.2 Innovative Contractor Selection – – – – 21
2.5.1.3 Innovative Maintenance Contract – – – – – 23
2.5.2 Innovative Management Methods – – – – 25
2.5.2.1 Research and Development – – – – – 27
2.5.2.2 Environmental Issue/ Sustainability – – – – 28
2.5.3 Innovative Technologies In-Construction – – – 30
2.6 Support Providers and Barriers to Innovation – – – 32
2.6.1 Innovation Drivers – – – – – – 33
2.6.2 Innovation Brokers – – – – – – – 35
2.6.3 Barriers to Innovation – – – – – – 37
2.7 Innovation and the Nigerian Construction Industry – – 38
CHAPTER THREE – Research Methodology
3.1 Population of Study and Sample Size – – – – 44
3.2 Sampling Selection and Technique – – – – 44
3.3 Source of Data Collection – – – – – – 44
3.3.1 Primary Source – – – – – – – 45
3.3.2 Secondary Source – – – – – – – 45
3.4 Validity and Reliability of Instrument – – – 45
3.5 Administration of Questionnaire – – – – 46
3.6 Method of Data Analysis – – – – – 46
CHAPTER FOUR – Presentation and Analysis of Data
4.1 Introduction – – – – – – – 48
4.2 Demography of Respondents – – – – – 48
4.3 Summary of Findings – – – – – – 71
viii
CHAPTER FIVE – Recommendations and Conclusion
5.1 Recommendations – – – – – – – 73
5.2 Conclusion — – – – – – – – 73
5.3 Suggestion For Further Study – – – – – 75
References – – – – – – – – 76
Appendix I – – – – – – – – 79
Appendix II – – – – – – – – 80
ix
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Breakdown of Questionnaires Distributed and Returned – 46
Table 2: Respondents Profession/Qualification – – – – 48
Table 3: Respondents Sectors/ Experience – – – – 49
Table 4: Respondents Responses On Innovation Issue that
Implemented mostly On Construction Projects – – – 50
Table 5: Respondents Responses on construction issues that
require Research and Development most in Nigeria – 51
Table 6: Respondents responses on how creativity is encouraged
is the Nigerian construction industry – – – – 52
Table 7: Respondents responses on how organizations encourage
creativity/innovative problem solving – – – – 53
Table 8: Respondents Responses On Major Driver Of
Innovation In The Nigerian Construction Industry – – 54
Table 9: Respondents Response on Innovative Environmental
Sustainability – – – – – – – – 55
Table10: Respondents’ Response On Innovative Procurement
System – – – – – – – – 57
Table 11: Respondents Response on the use of ICT – – – 59
Table 12: Respondents Response on Construction/Building
Materials in the construction – – – – – 61
Table 13: Respondents Response on Technology/Methodology of
Construction in Nigeria – – – – – – 63
Table 14: Respondents Response On Research And Development
Towards Innovation – – – – – – 65
Table 15: Respondents Response on General Innovative
Practices in Construction Industry – – – – 67
Table 16: Respondents Responses on Innovative Government
Policies and Regulations – – – – – – 69
x
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Map of Nigeria Showing Anambra State – – – 6
Figure 2: Contractor Selection Criteria – – – – – 22
Figure 3: Corner and side view of Hydraform Machine – – 41
1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In most developed and developing countries of the world the need for
innovation in the construction industry has long been stressed from within
and outside the industry.
Changes in global markets, increased customer expectations, need for
new technologies and processes, improving existing products and
services, and government pressure, have all led to innovation which is
becoming a key focus for the construction industry. The industry is fast
evolving as the world is evolving, changing and seeking more integration,
innovation and better services in all sectors of the economy. Most nations
are seeking how to improve their standards of living; others are seeking to
protect their environment. Most nations are seeking innovative means
towards every sector of the economy, thus providing public services and
products that are innovatively conceived.
The construction industry is almost seen as the backbone of every other
sector of any nations economy. That is why Seadan et al (2001), stated
that the industry accounts for about 15% of the national product of most
nations. This not withstanding, the industry is perceived as not being
innovative for various reasons such as the nature of construction industry,
its regulations and standards etc. Therefore attention ought to be given to
the industry in determining its level of innovation and innovation
practices, otherwise it will affect the activities of other sectors in any
economy. The reasons are that if new ideas in the industry are not
developed, how could better facilities of construction products be used in
other sectors of an economy.
2
In Nigeria, the construction industry has been characterized by poor
performance and productivity. Osofisan (2007), criticizes the Nigerian
construction industry for being one of the slowest to integrate
technological advancement. The Nigerian construction industry is
however, a large industry and does contribute largely to the economic
growth of the nation, but most elements especially of materials and
technology that make up the construction process are not proudly
Nigerian. If innovation and innovative practices are adopted in the
industry, costs could be saved, utilization of resources could be more
efficient, adjustment for the sustainability of the environment could be
improved etc., These and other construction demands could be met; either
by solving them with existing knowledge or by creating new solutions.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Lack of innovation or innovative ideas hinder the performance of the
construction industry and other sectors of the economy by inefficient
utilization of resources.
Costs, time and quality standards are most times not achieved due to lack
of creativity and innovation.
Lack of innovation and creativity in the construction industry could result
to;
1. Lack of development of previously unseen technology and
processes.
2. Reduction of new inputs to existing technology and processes.
3. Inhibiting the penetration of existing market.
3
4. Inhibiting the improvement of existing strategies and
management techniques.
The construction experts, the government and indeed all stakeholders in
construction must evolve ways and means of introducing new ideas to
improve construction.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to examine the exiting innovative construction
processes and practices, and assess the level of innovation in the
construction industry in Anambra State, with the following objectives:
1. To examine current innovative practices in the construction
industry.
2. To determine those factors that drive and inhibit innovation in
the industry.
3. To determine how innovation could be encouraged in the
industry.
1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
Innovation in construction is a vast area of study cutting across,
technology, management, construction material manufacture, marketing
and channel strategies of construction companies.
The focus of this study is on the technology and construction
management aspect of innovation in the industry. The study investigated
the current innovative practices and their impact on the Nigerian
construction industry. The study covers three (3) major stakeholders i.e.
(clients, contractors and consultants) in the construction industry, which
will be limited to Anambra State of Nigeria.
4
The study was however limited by some difficulties which were
encountered in the course of administering questionnaire. These include:
Some questionnaires were returned uncompleted.
Some were not returned on time as promised which necessitated
frequent visits to respondents. This consumed a lot of time and
money.
Some respondents withheld some information required by the
researcher, as they were not ready to disclose some information
which they considered private.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study will enable the Nigerian construction industry and other
construction industries world wide to be proactive to innovative ideas and
practices.
The study will also point out issues or factors which could inhibit the
progress of innovation in the industry. Government will be the ultimate
beneficiary of this study as it will enable her appreciate the relationship
between the construction industry and economic growth of the nation,
and thus take the issue of R & D and innovation more seriously.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions will form the basis of this research;
1. What forms of innovations exist in the construction industry in
Anambra State?
2. What are the levels of implementation of innovation strategies /
forms in the industry?
3. What factors drive innovation in the industry?
4. Are there any inhibiting factors towards innovation in the
industry?
5. How can innovation be encouraged in the industry?
5
1.7 THE STUDY AREA
Anambra State is located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria. It is the
most popular south-eastern states in Nigeria due to its location and
positioning, as it connects all other south-eastern states. When
approaching it from the south-west, it is connected with the most famous
bridge in the country i.e. (the Niger bridge). Anambra State is also noted
for its politically and commercial endowment, as she produced the first
Nigerian democratically elected president, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, after its
independence in 1960. She also has the largest market in west Africa i.e.
(Onitsha Main Market).
Anambra lies within the tropical rainforest belt of Nigeria. Like some
other states of Nigeria, Anambra climate is characterized by two distinct
seasons, namely dry and rainy seasons. The dry season lasts from
November to March while raining season lasts from May to October. The
average annual rainfall ranges from 1500mm to 2200mm with July as the
rainiest month. Its humidity is relatively high between 65.80 percent
throughout the year and characterized by daily temperature of up to 250C
– 270C (Ogunoh, 2005).
The North East Trade wind which blows across the Sahara Desert during
the months of November to January causes the dust, dry and short cold
seasons known as Harmattan. On the other hand, the shift of the position
of the surface further North as a result of moving air masses from the
Atlantic Ocean North-wards causes the rainy season. The sun’s
movement from East to West shifts very slightly to the South and North.
Thus, North and South facades receive little direct sun light while East
and West are directly exposed to sunrays (Ogunoh, 2005).
Vegetation Characteristics
The vegetation of Anambra State is semi-rainforest with tall trees and tick
bushes. This is as a result of the combined effects of temperature,
humidity and rainfall, but particularly the variations which occur in the
rainfall (Ogunoh, 2005).
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