Critical barriers to effective communication in the construction industry: evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

The construction industry is vital to the global economy but struggles with communication-related issues that hinder its productivity. However, the construction industry is faced with communication challenges affecting the industry’s productivity. This research aims to assess the barriers to effective communication in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI), measure their significance, and develop a tailored solution to overcome them. The research utilised a quantitative approach, and the data were analysed using descriptive (mean ranking) and inferential statistics (factor analysis). The sample size was estimated using the Cochran formula and previous studies’ judgement. The questionnaires were administered to a sample of 150 construction professionals in Abuja, Nigeria, who were randomly selected based on predefined criteria. One hundred thirty-four (134) were collected, and 119 were considered for further analysis. The questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS. The findings show that 95% of the communication barriers identified in the NCI are statistically significant and critically impact the communication processes in the NCI. Unclear objectives and instructions (MIS = 4.39; SD = 0.871) were found to be the most statistically significant, and religion issues were the only factor not statistically significant. This implies that religion (MIS = 3.01; SD = 0.612) is not a critical barrier to effective communication in the NCI. The factor analysis revealed four barriers to effective communication (Management Related, Employee Related, Organisation Related, and Work Related). This study contributes significantly to the body of knowledge by understanding the obstacles preventing effective communication in the Nigerian construction sector. The study provided a solid background for future work on communication in the construction industry. The study also provided recommendations such as creating a diverse and inclusive workplace with defined goals, diversity incentives, monitoring, advanced communication technologies, strong leadership, teamwork, and work-life balance to improve communication in the construction industry.