Relative Significance Index Research Articles

Influence of student factors on entrepreneurial intentions: Evidence from Nigeria

Purpose – This study aims to identify the factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among private university students in South-West Nigeria, and to determine their significance.Methodology – The study population consisted of final-year students from the Faculty/College of Business and Social Sciences across 11 selected private universities in South-West, Nigeria, offering entrepreneurship courses. This study used a sample of 623 students. Data were collected using a self-developed instrument with a reliability coefficient of 0.847 for student-related factors and 0.80 a entrepreneurial intentions. The Relative Significance Index (RSI) and multiple regression analyses were used.Findings – The results revealed that most students perceived several factors as influential on entrepreneurial intention. The key factors were students’ personal factors, family history, technical abilities, and parental attitude. Despite recognizing these influences, many students lacked the skills to solve challenges and effectively utilized technical literature and other information sources. Multiple regression analysis indicated that student parental attitude, student personal factors, and technical abilities significantly influenced entrepreneurial intentions.Implications – This study highlights the importance of enhancing students' personal factors, technical abilities, and parental attitudes to foster entrepreneurial intention. Educational institutions and policymakers should focus on these areas to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students.Originality – This study provides empirical evidence on the determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among private university students in Nigeria, contributing to a broader understanding of how personal, familial, and technical factors shape entrepreneurial aspirations.

Study on medicinal food plants in the Gaoligongshan Biosphere Reserve, the richest biocultural diversity center in China

BackgroundTraditional knowledge associated with medicinal food plants (MFPs) plays a vital role in fighting hidden hunger and safeguarding the health of local people. MFPs resources are abundant in the Gaoligongshan area, a biosphere reserve with the richest biocultural diversity in China. Local people of different linguistic groups also have rich traditional botanical knowledge. However, there are still few comprehensive and systematic studies on MFPs there.MethodsEthnobotanical investigation including market survey, semi-structured interviews, free listing and key informant interviews was conducted in the Gaoligongshan area, Western Yunnan, Southwest China. A total of 13 local farmers’ markets were selected and information about medicinal food plants, including food categories, medicinal and edible parts, modes of consumption, medicinal effects, and distribution were collected. The relative occurrence frequency (RFO) and cultural food significance index (CFSI) were calculated to identify the culturally significant MFPs.ResultsA total of 184 species of MFPs, belonging to 83 families, were collected in the Gaoligongshan area, including vegetables (77), medicinal diets (26), fruits (25), spices (18), herbal tea (13), tea substitutes (11), substitutes for staple food (8), nuts (5), oils and fats (4), and dye material (1). The most frequently used families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae, with 11, 10, and 9 species, respectively. The most frequently used plant parts were the stems, followed by fruits and leaves. Based on the evaluation results of the CFSI and RFO indices, 18 species of MFPs with magnificent local cultural importance have been screened out, such as Houttuynia cordata, Eryngium foetidum, Sechium edule, Centella asiatica and Pseudocydonia sinensis.ConclusionThese findings have guiding significance for conservation of traditional knowledge associated with MFPs and facilitation of scientific utilization of MFPs to meet local people’s needs for a healthy life.

Assessing the sustainable incentive on worker performances as a means of conquering new frontiers in Enugu state, Nigeria

Incentive is one of the motivational approach, which has an energizing force that induces or compels and maintain performance of every worker. Thus, it will be of important if the impact of standardized and sustainable incentives is implied to every worker in construction industry. The aim of the paper is to assess the sustainable incentive on worker performances by assessing the relative significance index score for different types of incentives; and identifying the average level of impact for the three groups of incentives for workers’ performances. The targeted population of this study were contractors, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers in Enugu state. Data collection was done through a questionnaire survey self-administered on 80 randomly selected construction professionals involved in a nearly completed or recently completed construction projects. This was analyzed using descriptive statistics and analyses of variance (ANOVA). Results of the study indicate a disparity of the ranking of the degree of occurrence and impact among the group. Based on the composite of incentive factors the study established its likelihood of various occurrence of both financial and non-financial incentives. The study recommended that those with highly impacted incentives should be put in place in which it will become a means of conquering the new frontier with a solid sustenance. Finally, the study also concluded that they should implement an efficient, standardized and effective of the three groups of the incentives on workers in order to gear toward fully sustainable commitment, solid participation and loyal performances.

Diet Composition and Reproductive Properties of European Conger, Conger conger (Congridae) in the Turkish Aegean Sea

The diet composition and reproductive properties of European conger, Conger conger (Linnaeus, 1758) were investigated from the Aegean Sea of Türkiye to compare our data with those from other regions of the Mediterranean Sea and throughout all four seasons. A total of 100 individuals were examined. Totally 19 prey taxa belonging to three large taxon (cephalopods, crustaceans, and fishes) were identified in the stomachs of European conger. According to the relative significance index the crustaceans were dominant food in diet of individuals smaller than 50 cm, while fish prevailed in diet of fish with length between 75 and 100 cm. Histological analysis of 80 gonads showed that all individuals were immature (20%) and maturuing females (80%). Maturing females were with oocytes in the previtellogenic (16% of all fishes) and early vitellogenic phases (64%). The oocyte diameters were 80–476 μm at previtellogenic (diameter range 80–240 μm) and 245–476 μm at early vitellogenic individuals. Immature females had the gonads with the oocyte diameter 30 μm

Exploring Problematic Use of Mobile Internet in a Nigerian University

The study identified the prevalent ways by which students experience problematic use of mobile internet. It determined the level of problematic use of mobile internet experienced by the undergraduates of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria. It also investigated factors that may predict problematic use of mobile internet among the students. The study employs a survey research design to obtain data from 201 undergraduates selected by randomly from faculty colloquiums during the 2012/2013 session. A self-constructed questionnaire comprising items adapted from Demetrovics, Szeredi, and Rózsa (2008) was used to collect data from the respondents. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentages, Relative significance index, Multiple regression, t-test and ANOVA. The results indicated that the prevalent ways by which students experience problematic use of mobile internet was in terms of feeling tense, irritated, or stressed when they cannot use their mobile internet for several days (RSI = 0.738). 17.9% of the participant experienced no problematic use of mobile internet while 27.4%, 45.3% and 9.5% of the participants have experienced low, high, and debilitating levels of mobile internet respectively. Also, there was no significant difference in the problematic use of mobile internet experienced by students at different academic levels in the university (F = 2.385, p=0.071). The study concluded that tertiary institution students are very susceptible to problematic use of mobile internet. Keywords: Mobile internet; Problematic use; Internet addiction; Undergraduates; University. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-6-09 Publication date: February 28 th 2023

Exploring the Underlying Constraints to the Use of Geosynthetics for Civil Engineering Infrastructure: A Study from Ghana

Whereas the level of use of geosynthetics on continental basis is generally considered to be low, little is known of country-specific studies that unravel the constraints to the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in the construction industry. Thus, this study seeks to identify the underlying constraints to the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in Ghana and determine the relative significance of each of the underlying constraints on the use of geosynthetics for civil engineering infrastructure in Ghana. A mixed methodology was employed. A structured questionnaire and structured interview helped in data collection. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, one sample t-test, and the Relative Significance Index (RSI). Nineteen (19) underlying constraints were identified as the constraints to the use of geosynthetics in Ghana. Each recorded a significant RSI value from 0.70 to 0.95 and t-test values were statistically significant. The lack of a geosynthetic research institute to champion research-driven campaigns for geosynthetics use in Ghana, and the use of geosynthetics is not prioritized in the manifestos of political parties in Ghana were unique constraints to this Ghana study only. In terms of civil and construction engineering practices, this study has offered an understanding of the constraints to the use of geosynthetics in Ghana and provided the theoretical basis for future geosynthetic-related studies.

Multi-hazard susceptibility assessment using analytic hierarchy process: the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site case study (United Kingdom)

Many of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites face geological threats which could have negative effects on the value, integrity and accessibility of their heritage assets. A relevant example is the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the key sites of Britain's industrial revolution of the 18th century and located along the Derwent River Valley. Individual susceptibility scenarios of natural hazards in the area like collapsible deposits, compressible ground, debris flow, landslide, running sands, shrink-swell, soluble rock and flooding (both riverine and groundwater) are available, but a comprehensive product able to support disaster mitigation measurement and land planning still does not exist. On this basis, a multi-hazard susceptibility analysis was completed with the added benefit of reducing the complexity and providing a methodological framework for multi-hazard estimation. The analysis was completed in a GIS environment through an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) multicriteria decision-making process. Since the AHP method is affected by a user selection bias, a quantitative Relative significance index was derived to rank the AHP factors during the susceptibility estimation. This index suggests that flooding is the principal natural hazard for the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage site. The multi-hazard susceptibility map also indicates that most of the areas where the mills are located are subject to significant susceptibility to natural hazards.

Psycho-demographic Characteristics as Predictors of Smartphone Addiction among Undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

The thrust of the study was to investigate the use and prevalent of smartphone addiction among undergraduates of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria as well as examining the influence of psycho-demographic characteristics on students’ smartphone addiction. The survey research design was employed for the study. A sample of 600 undergraduates and six faculties were selected from the university using a multistage sampling technique. An adapted questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Smartphone Addiction among Undergraduates” (QSAU) was used to collect the data from the participants. The reliability test result of the instrument after trial-tested was 0.71% at a 0.05 level of significance. Percentages, Relative Significance Index (RSI), ranking order, t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, and multiple regressions were employed to analyse the data collected. The results showed a high prevalence rate of smartphone addiction among 124(20.7%) undergraduates. Educative information (0.801), charting (0.787) and sports and recreation (0.778) were the frequently information undergraduates sourced from their smartphones. Again, the results showed a significant influence of personality characteristics (F(5,546) = 51.870, p < 0.05); sex (the t-test = 0. -2.612; df = 598, p > 0.05) age (F(2,596) = 9.533; p < 0.05), students’ level (F(4,594); = 57.209, p < 0.05) and smartphone addiction among the students. Finally, the result showed that all variables contributed 65.3%. This indicated psycho-demographic variables greatly contributed to students’ smartphone addiction (R2 = 0.653; F = 57.209, p < 0.05). The study concluded psycho-demographic variables predisposed undergraduates to smartphone addiction.

A meta-analysis of multi-factors leading to performance challenges across Nigeria\u2019s state-owned refineries

This paper measured the significant factors leading to performance challenges across state-owned refineries in Nigeria based on experts’ views. The study was carried out with a view of making policy recommendations to help address these issues and thereby improve performance. A quantitative approach was adopted to sample the viewpoints of the professionals who work across the NNPC refineries. Using a Likert-type questionnaire, the professionals’ expert opinions were ranked across four main categories covering political, economic, social, and technical (PEST) factors. A Cronbach alpha test was performed to certify the consistency and reliability of the sub-category factors included on the Likert scale. In addition, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was carried out to check for any statistically significant differences in the respondents’ opinions as a result of their different years of work experience. The study revealed that while all four PEST factors are crucial to the performance of the state-owned refineries in Nigeria, political, economic, and technical factors were viewed as more significant than the social factors. A comparative analysis of the sub-category factors using the relative significance index (RSI) and the respondents’ mean scores of importance (RMSI) revealed that government interference, funding issues, political indecision, theft and pipeline attacks, cost of spare parts, maintenance issues, operating capital, feedstock supply, staff training and competence issues are some of the significant factors that affect the performance of the refineries. The identified performance challenges from this study were used to inform policy recommendations to help address the problems of the refineries.

Pre-service Teachers Perception, Knowledge and Attitudes toward Stigmatization of Mentally Ill Patients in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the pre- service teachers’ perception, knowledge and attitudes towards stigmatization of mentally ill patient in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. It further examined the perceived causes of stigmatization, effect of stigmatization on mentally ill- patients as well as the measure that can be adopted to reduce and eliminate stigmatization of mentally ill patients in our society. It further investigated the influence of gender on pre- service teachers’ perception and attitude towards stigmatization of mentally ill patients on one hand and the influence of gender on pre- service teachers’ knowledge of mental illness on the other. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of all pre- service teachers in the Faculty of Education. The sample comprised 400 pre- service teachers randomly selected across four departments in the faculty. Data for the study were collected using a questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Pre- service Teachers Perception, Knowledge and Attitudes towards Stigmatization of Mentally Ill- Patients”. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, Relative Significance Index and chi- square statistical method of analysis. The results showed the major causes of stigmatization with their respective Relative Significance Index (RSI) values as perceived dangerous and unpredictable behaviour of mentally ill patients (RSI=0.75); lack of recognition of mental illness as other illness (RSI=0.71); inability to live independently (RSI=0.71). It is concluded that the perception of pre-service teachers towards stigmatization of mentally ill patients as well as adequate knowledge of mental illness did not reflect on their attitude towards the phenomenon.

Comparative analysis of materials and energy between sustainable roadway rating systems

A sustainable roadway rating system (SR2S) consists of a set of indicators to comprehensively measure the sustainability performance of roadway projects. The sustainability level of the systems can be improved by implementing appropriate strategies pertaining to materials and energy. In the peer-reviewed literature, some studies have conducted shallow comparisons of different SR2Ss and no studies have compared the significance of material and energy indicators in existing SR2Ss. To bridge this research gap, five existing SR2Ss were considered. These five SR2Ss described overlapping categories of indicators. Material and energy-related indicators (MEIs) were identified from the representative SR2Ss by conducting content analysis. Similar indicators were regrouped into six different material and energy-related features (MEFs), corresponding to six categories of indicators: local materials; long-life designs; materials obtained using the reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs) concept; energy efficiency; earthwork; and hazardous materials. Based on the relative significance index (RSI), the weightings of the selected SR2Ss and the significance of MEIs according to six MEFs were explored. In terms of the aforementioned criteria, the Illinois Livable and Sustainable Transportation gives the greatest weight to material and energy (34.7% of the total points), whereas GreenLITES gives the least weight to material and energy (i.e., 26.8% of total points). Regarding MEFs, SR2Ss focus more on materials obtained by using the 3Rs concept and energy efficiency. This means that indicators pertaining to these two features were considered to contribute significantly to evaluations of roadway sustainability. Aside from 3Rs and energy efficiency, hazardous materials were deemed to be not highly relevant to SR2Ss. Discussion on the indicator requirements related to material and energy are further provided based on different MEFs.

A Critical Assessment of Road Infrastructural Development in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Road infrastructure is one of the major channels of economic development in Nigeria. This study critically examined some of the factors that affect road infrastructure development in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The study made use of primary data through the use of questionnaire shared to respondents in various professions in the state. The data was analyzed using the relative significance index (RSI). The result showed that over-dependence of road development on public financing was the major factor impacting road infrastructure in Akwa-Ibom state. Also, absence of specific ministry/agency saddled with role of road infrastructure development was the least ranked factor affecting road development in the state. The study thus recommended, among others, that there should be a holistic technical evaluation and cost assessment of road projects before its inclusion into annual budgets.
 Key Words: Road, Infrastructure, economic, development, Nigeria

Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Ojodu-Berger Road Upgrade, Lagos, Nigeria

Extensive road project in large cities produces diverse impacts. This study attempts an assessment of the environmental and socio-economic effects of a recent road upgrade, the mitigating measures of adverse effects experienced and their effectiveness in Ojodu Berger community, a major transport node in Lagos, southwestern Nigeria. Using a survey research design through questionnaire administration, 120 respondents comprising of 50 residents, 40 traders and 30 transport operators were sampled using the purposive sampling technique. The Relative Significance Index (RSI) of project impacts was measured using 27 variables as identified in the literature and general observation of situations in the project environment before the survey. On a 5-point Likert scale at the pre-construction, construction and post-construction phase of the project. The study reveals poor environmental conditions at the pre-construction phase, which became escalated in the construction phase; noise pollution is the most significant impact (RSI = 4.36). At the post-construction phase, encroachment on pedestrian facilities is the most significant impact (RSI = 4.20). Socio-economic impacts such as increased rental value, unemployment and displacement of businesses were also significant. The Mean Index (MI) of 3.14 for the construction phase impacts was the highest compared to 3.00 at the pre-construction phase and 3.02 at the post-construction phase. Mitigating measures against adverse impacts were both effective and ineffective, while some adverse impacts were not mitigated. There was no clear evidence that an impact study was done before project implementation. The study recommended strong government commitment to environmental and social impacts assessment of road development, more robust stakeholders' engagement for the formulation of strategies and measures to address the adverse impacts of similar projects in the future.

Critical performance factors of public sector organizations in concession-based public-private partnership projects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate critical factors that impact public sector organizations’ (PSOs) performance in PPP contracts with a view to improving their capabilities toward efficient project delivery and attracting more private sector investments. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is a quantitative approach which commenced with an in-depth literature review that provided the basis for identification of the variables that were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. Respondents were professionals from stakeholders’ organizations that had been involved in PPP contracts in the Southwestern region of Nigeria selected using respondent driven sampling technique. These include industrial practitioners from governmental-based organizations (ministries, agencies, corporations/parastatals, etc.), private developers/concessionaires, law firms, and banks, among others. Data collected were analyzed using mean, relative significance index) and factor analysis. Findings The critical performance factors of PSOs in concession contracts clustered under nine components. These were technical, legal, political, finance, market maturity, economic, procurement process, performance guarantee and degree of regulation. PSOs’ capability development measure in countries newly experimenting with concession model is expected to focus on these factors for improved project delivery. Research limitations/implications The study provided implications for capabilities improvement, legislation and policy making with respect to PPP transactions in countries newly experimenting with PPP contracts. This is highly significant to improving the capabilities of PSOs and attraction of more private sector partnership in infrastructure delivery through the concession model. Practical implications The study provided implication for capabilities improvement, legislation and policing with respect to PPP transactions in countries newly experimenting with PPP contracts. This is highly significant to improving the capabilities of PSOs and attraction of more private sector partnership in infrastructure delivery through concession model. Originality/value Previous studies on PPP performance had either focused on the projects or generalized the performance assessment to PSOs and private investors. This study extended the researches on PPP performance by revealing factors specific to the public sector stakeholders.

Factors affecting accessibility to property data in an opaque market

Purpose With a focus on Lagos property market, the purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence accessibility to data for valuation and investment analysis in Nigeria. This was with a view to improving accessibility to property data in the market, thereby enhancing investment appraisal practice. Design/methodology/approach Primary data utilized for the study were sourced through the use of questionnaire administered on property practitioners (referred to as estate surveying and valuation (ESV) firms) in Lagos property market. A total of 190 ESV firms were selected using stratified random sampling based on their geographical location. Relative significance index (RSI), frequency distribution and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed for data analysis. Findings A total of 19 factors were identified as affecting accessibility to data. Confidentiality attached to property data by practitioners was ranked as the most significant factor with RSI of 0.81. The next three factors were lack of cooperation within members of professional body (0.79), accuracy of data (0.76) and duty of care to client (0.75), while the least ranked factor was duplication of data set (0.63). All the 19 variables were further grouped into six principal factors using PCA, namely, economic, attitudinal, ethical, legal, administrative and technical factors; with each factor explaining the following variance, 16.75, 16.1, 13.64, 12.78, 10.51 and 7.95, respectively. Practical implications The paper’s results will enable stakeholders to address the challenges to data accessibility in Lagos property market and similar opaque markets elsewhere thereby enhancing property data accessibility and investment analysis. Originality/value The paper is an attempt to examine the factors affecting accessibility to data identified in different studies holistically together in a single study and from the perspective of an emerging property market like Nigeria.

Evaluation of facilities management sustainable parameters for improving operational efficiency

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of the life-cycle development of built facilities and is emphasized during the design phase and post-occupancy phase. This article, therefore, investigates the facilities management (FM) sustainable parameters impact on cost performance of building projects. The sustainable parameters were identified through a systematic review of literature and these were separated into four categories: people, process, economy and social. This study was followed by a questionnaire survey and 31 respondents graded them in a 5-point Likert scale during the online survey. The mean and relative significance index of the sustainable parameters were determined, followed by rank analysis. The research findings show that cost-effectiveness, value of asset, environmental, practiced culture and design adaptability are widely accepted as sustainable parameters in FM practice. The study findings also show that maintainability was rated as very significant in design process for reducing long-term cost. The relationships between sustainable parameters and consideration in building design were identified using correlation tests. Finally, this research concludes that the integration of sustainable parameters and maintainability consideration into the design phase are capable to reduce 15–20% maintenance costs in building projects. This study provides an insight into the most significant design consideration and sustainable parameters for achieving operational efficiency.

Developing a green building evaluation standard for interior decoration: A case study of China

Green building development has become a worldwide popular topic in recent years. As an indispensable phase of a building project, interior decoration has an unavoidable impact on the environment and public health. Currently, there have been several green building evaluation standards for interior decoration. However, there is no specific evaluation standard, which is complied with the domestic situation of China, for green interior decoration. This study aims to develop an assessment standard for green interior decoration in the context of China. To start with, a comprehensive review of existing green building rating tools and focus group meetings were held to filter the assessment items and to determine the basic framework of the proposed assessment standard. Eight assessment aspects, including seven basic aspects and one bonus aspect, were identified to formulate the structure of the proposed standard. Then, methods of analytic hierarchy process and relative significance index were employed to evaluate the weight of each aspect and to determine the assigned score for each assessment item. Finally, an assessment standard for green interior decoration, which can be applied to the completion acceptance assessment and the operation management assessment, was developed for evaluating and guiding green interior decoration projects. Three aspects, namely indoor environment quality, material saving and utilization, and energy saving and utilization, were identified to be the most significant ones. A real-life project was further selected to validate the feasibility of the proposed evaluation standard.

Traditional Kitchen Design for Sustainable Low-Income Dwellings in Developing Countries

The place of kitchens in contemporary designs is quite different from the traditional designs in terms of location, aesthetics and furnishing. Thus, this paper discussed development in kitchen designs over the past centuries and place emphasis on sustainable low-income kitchen design. The study examined the location of kitchens in contemporary dwellings in comparison with traditional dwellings in order to create a hybrid kitchen design that is sustainable, attainable and acceptable to contemporary and traditional individuals. Research methodology involved descriptive survey; with primary data obtained using structured questionnaire, systematic observation and interview with occupants of buildings in Awi community,  Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria which is the study area. These were complemented with photographs of kitchens in the existing buildings within the area of study. 50 buildings purposely selected were studied to determine the designs, and placement/location of kitchens in these buildings in relation to the contemporary buildings respectively. Finally, the data collected were analyzed using simple statistical tool to obtain percentages, rankings and relative significance index (RSI) respectively to determine the reasons for the design and location of the kitchen. The result shows that of the five variables examined, cultural influence was the most significant reason for the location of kitchens outside the housing unit. The recommendation is that low-income dwelling should have kitchen space within in addition to the attached or detached kitchens in their dwellings.

Awareness and utilisation of building information modelling (BIM) for facility management (FM) in a developing economy

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the awareness and utilisation of building information modelling (BIM) for facility management (FM) among FM companies in Lagos, Nigeria. This was with a view of increasing the awareness level and promoting adoption of BIM in FM practice.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data used for the study were sourced through questionnaire administered on the 37 FM companies that are corporate members of International Facility Management Association in Lagos, Nigeria. Frequency distribution and relative significance index were used for data analysis.FindingsFindings of the study suggest a low level of awareness and adoption of BIM for FM in the study area. Only 2 of the 31 FM companies surveyed were using BIM for their FM services. Also, the majority of the respondents (n = 22, 71 per cent) perceived that the awareness of BIM in the facilities management industry in Nigeria is very low.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study provided industry stakeholders with information on the level of awareness and utilisation of BIM for FM practice in Nigeria, thereby giving insights on the possible integration of BIM with FM practices in developing countries.Originality/valueThe paper is a pioneer research on the awareness and utilisation of BIM for facilities management from the perspective of an emerging property market like Nigeria.

Cost and time implications of abandoned project resuscitation

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the effect of the period of abandonment on the final cost and duration of resuscitated tertiary educational building projects as a basis for enhancing the performance metrics of the projects and improving the availability of facilities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was administered on 47 professionals involved in the physical development of construction projects in Osun State public tertiary educational institutions to provide primary data for the study. Secondary data relating to initial and final costs, initial and final completion dates, dates of abandonment, period of abandonment, date of re-award, etc. were obtained from selected resuscitated projects. Data were analyzed using relative significance index and regression analysis.FindingsThe most significant effects of project abandonment were found to be disappointment of populace and over-stretching of existing facilities. The study showed a directly proportional and an exponential effect of period of abandonment on percentage cost overrun of resuscitated projects, which were represented by yc = −329.755 + 19.545x and yc = 6.1662e0.0506x, respectively. A linear relationship between period of abandonment and percentage time overrun was represented by yt = 0.467 + 0.816x.Research limitations/implicationsThe fact that the regression equations could not be validated because of paucity of data was identified as a limitation of this study.Practical implicationsThis study adds to the body of knowledge on abandonment of building projects from a quantitative perspective. Findings have implications for guiding long-term infrastructure development plans in public tertiary educational institutions.Originality/valueMaximum threshold at which abandoned projects may be resuscitated at an economic cost was established as 16 months. Findings further suggest that the economy of new construction would outweigh resuscitation of abandoned projects beyond this period.