ASSESSMENT OF THE CAPABILITY OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS AS CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGERS IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The construction industry is very unique in comparison to other industries. Its uniqueness and the inadequate number of competent professionals to manage its supply chain have been attributed as a cause for poor coordination and integration of supply chain in construction. This affects the performance of the construction industry. Therefore, with the ultimate goal of improving the performance of the industry, this study assessed the capability of Quantity Surveyors (QSs) to function as supply chain managers (SCMgrs) with a view to enhancing their performance in Supply Chain Management in the Nigerian construction industry. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires to Architects, QSs, Builders and Civil Engineers. A total of two hundred and six (206) questionnaires were administered using convenience sampling technique; one hundred and sixty-nine (169) of them were returned and found suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of approximately 82%. The data collected were analyzed using Percentiles, Mean Item Score, Factor Analysis, Kruskall-Wallis, Student Newman Kauls (SNK) Post-Hoc Test, Gap Analysis, Quadrant Analysis, Spearman Rank Correlation and Content Analysis. The results revealed that knowledge of sustainability, mathematics, and project management are the most important SCMgrs’ knowledge areas, while it was revealed that QSs performed better in knowledge of risk management, mathematics, and project management. The study further revealed critical thinking skill, monitoring skill, and negotiation skill as the most important skills required by SCMgrs, while it revealed that QSs performed better in change management, writing, thinking critically, and time management. In addition, the study identified managing the sales and operation planning process, stay informed of advances in supply chain technology, support the development of supply chain based training materials and technical manuals; manage/execute product life-cycle, direct the hiring, training, supervision and performance evaluations of supply chain staff as the most important duties performed by SCMgrs, while it revealed that QSs performed better in partnering with staff and other departments to clarify management goals, developing and delivering oral presentations; and resolving work-related problems. The study also revealed that knowledge in the area of sustainability, customer and personal service; and lean management are not well incorporated in the curricula of several of the tertiary institutions assessed. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Nigerian QSs should undergo continuous training and development in the areas of sustainability, marketing, finance, organization, political sensitivity, service orientation, monitoring, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and coordination skills. Also, there is need for academic institutions and the professional body to take into serious consideration areas such as sustainability, customer and personal service; and lean management when reviewing the academic programme of Quantity Surveying. This study was limited to the examination of Quantity Surveyors as Supply Chain Managers, further research can be done to examine the capability of other construction professionals.