CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The construction industry has recently
witnessed a paradigm shift from traditional paper-based method of service
delivery to electronic information exchange using Information Technology (IT),
at least in the western world like UK. It is now evident that the adoption of
Information Technology can enhance construction productivity and improve
communications for effective decision-making and coordination among
construction participants. The ability of the industry to avail itself of
technology depends on the level of usage by construction participants including
the Quantity Surveyor (QS) who plays a major role in the management of project
success determinants, such as cost, time and quality.
It is apparent that we live in a
dynamic world characterized by incessant technology change. The explosive
growth of information and communication technology (ICT) otherwise shortened as
information technology (IT) has had unquantifiable impact on business systems
and processes (Rivard et al., 2004). Advancement in information technology has
made possible fundamental changes in the method of practice in all businesses
and industries although at different levels (Li, 2000). The global acceptance
and widespread adoption has accelerated the dimensions of competition not only
among organizations globally but among professions locally (Hampson and Tatum,
1994).
The construction industry with the aim
of leveling their colleagues in other industries have embraced the use of
information technology such as internet, computing, telephoning, satellite
communication and electronic mailing to perform most, if not all of their
activities (Ibidapo, 2000). The quantity surveyors’ ability to avail
themselves of these emerging opportunities provided by the advent of
information technology depends on the adoption of new technologies (Castle,
2002). There is quite a lot of development in all areas of computer application
to the industry. Of note are the expert systems, artificial intelligence,
knowledge-base systems (KBS), artificial neural networking (ANN), robotics and
computer aided design (Arif and Karam, 2001). Rivard et al. (2004) opined that
the evolution of information technology will have a profound impact on how
organizations in the architectural, engineering and construction industry operate
in the way other industries such as manufacturing and banking have adopted and
benefited from long ago. He noted that this is already the case in many of the
developed countries around the world. In lieu of this, Honey (1998) reported
that the turn of the last century has seen a reduction in paper-based operation
in quantity surveying (QS) offices in UK while electronic led-processes are
leading to less dependence on taking-off sheets and other ancillary stationery.
The quantity surveying profession in Nigeria has experienced significant
changes over the past decade in terms of the scope and type of services
provided within the construction industry (Oladapo, 2006). These changes have
occurred primarily in response to changing industry/client demands, information
technology developments, increased levels of competition for services and the
vital role of the quantity surveying in achieving improved service delivery.
Moreover, given the increasingly global nature of construction industry
obstinate by extremely high levels of domestic competition and resultant low
profit margin levels, there is no doubt that the construction industry has to
improve its information flow and project delivery mechanism (Wager, 1998).
Thus, as information flow increasingly become electronic, quantity surveying
computing facilities, software and databases will need to develop in a
compatible manner. Nigerian quantity surveyors will need to adapt to changes in
work patterns to improve their efficiency and develop new markets to maintain
competitive advantage and enhance profitability through the adoption of IT. In
summary, the Nigeria construction industry in general and the quantity
surveying profession in particular are facing the challenges of effectively
utilizing the rapid expanding technological environment in which it operates to
its full advantage (Oyediran and Odusami, 2004).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
It
is a known fact that advancement in technology and evolution of information
technology as dramatically change the way business is conducted by various
professionals. It has reduced the cost of services, reduces labour and saves
time. The quantity surveying profession are not left behind, they have also
embraced the use of this advanced form of technology in delivering their
services. The researcher is therefore examining the effect of this technology
in the field of quantity surveying and how it affect cost, labour and time.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
following are the objectives of this study:
1. To
examine the effect of technology in the field of quantity surveying.
2. To
examine how technology affects cost, labour and time in the field of quantity
surveying.
3. To
examine the factors limiting the use of technology in the field of quantity
surveying
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What
is the effect of technology in the field of quantity surveying?
2. How
does technology affects cost, labour and time in the field of quantity
surveying?
3. What
are the factors limiting the use of technology in the field of quantity
surveying?
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
following are the significance of this study:
1. The
outcome of this study will educate the stakeholders in the quantity
surveying profession on the effect of technology in the field of quantity
surveying with particular focus on how it affects cost, labour and time.
2. This
research will be a contribution to the body of literature in the area of the
effect of personality trait on student’s academic performance, thereby
constituting the empirical literature for future research in the subject area.
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This
study will cover the effect of technology use in the field of quantity
surveying
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher
in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the
process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will
simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently
will cut down on the time devoted for the research work