Factors influencing professionalism and the viability of local firms in Nigeria

Abstract

It is imperative to know the place of professionalism in the viability of local construction firms (LCFs) in developing countries. This article identified and examined various factors related to professionalism from diverse aspects that influence firms’ viability in the construction industry. From a literature review, 37 variables influencing the viability of local construction firms were identified of which 19 relate to professionalism. 177 staff from LCFs who were awarded building contracts in selected institutions in Nigeria were  requested to rate the importance of each viability factor on a 5-point Likert scale. Mean score ratings and principal component analysis were used to identify and summarise the most important factors. Three of the four “extremely important” factors are directly related to professionalism in the construction industry: organisational competence, quality of work and services, and quality of construction work and services, with mean scores of 4.4, 4.31, and 4.30, respectively. Out of the 11 component factors obtained, three topmost factors are directly related to professionalism in the construction industry. These factors were labelled: “construction resources” (9.27%);  “improved construction method” (3.24%), and “quality service and satisfaction” (2.84%). These factors substantiate the importance of
professionalism in the viability of LCFs and should motivate various professionals in the construction industry to demonstrate their effectiveness in good service delivery and ethics.

Keywords: Construction industry, local construction firms, professionalism, viability, Nigeria

Dit is noodsaaklik om die plek van professionaliteit in die lewensvatbaarheid van plaaslike konstruksiemaatskappye in ontwikkelende  lande te weet. Hierdie artikel het verskillende faktore wat met professionaliteit verband hou, geïdentifiseer en ondersoek uit die  verskillende faktore wat ondernemings se lewensvatbaarheid in die konstruksiebedryf beïnvloed. Uit ’n literatuurstudie is 37  veranderlikes geïdentifiseer wat die lewensvatbaarheid van plaaslike konstruksiemaatskappye beïnvloed, waarvan 19 betrekking het op professionaliteit. 177 personeellede van plaaslike konstruksiefirmas wat boukontrakte by geselekteerde instellings in Nigerië ontvang het, is versoek om die belangrikheid van elke lewensvatbaarheidsfaktor op ’n Likert-skaal van 5 punte te beoordeel. Gemiddelde tellingwaardes en hoofkomponentanalise is gebruik om die belangrikste faktore te identifiseer en op te som. Drie van die vier “uiters belangrike” faktore hou direk verband met professionaliteit in die konstruksiebedryf: organisasiebevoegdheid, kwaliteit van werk en dienste, en kwaliteit van konstruksiewerk en dienste, met ’n gemiddelde punt van onderskeidelik 4.4, 4.31, en 4.30. Uit die 11 faktore wat verkry is, is drie faktore direk verwant aan professionaliteit in die konstruksiebedryf. Die faktore is gemerk:  “konstruksiehulpbronne” (9.27%); “Verbeterde konstruksiemetode” (3.24%), en “Kwaliteit diens en tevredenheid” (2.84%). Hierdie faktore bevestig die belangrikheid van professionaliteit in die lewensvatbaarheid van LCF’s en behoort verskillende professionele persone in die konstruksiebedryf te motiveer om hul doeltreffendheid in goeie dienslewering en etiek te demonstreer.

Sleutelwoorde: Boubedryf, lewensvatbaarheid, Nigerië, plaaslike konstruksiemaatskappye, professionaliteit