Barriers to Partnering Implementation in Nigeria Construction Industry: Perceptions of the Stakeholders

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: This paper examined critical barriers to partnering implementation in Nigeria, as perceived by practitioners. Methods/Analysis: the respondents were randomly selected from the lists of registered professionals with FCDA, Abuja, and LSDPC, Lagos, in Nigeria who have handled partnering projects before. The questionnaire survey was adopted; data collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The stakeholders considered were clients, contractors, and consultants. Analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank correlation, and t-test. Findings: Finding reveals that lack of commitment, lack of trust, and lack of partnering knowledge and procurement act behind adopted are the significant barriers to partnering implementation in Nigeria. The analysis shows that project administration responses were consistent as revealed by t-test analysis (ttab <tcal and p< 0.5) and Spearman rank correlation showed that no significant disagreement on the barriers rankings between contractors, consultants, and clients. It concluded that identified barriers are culture-related, and one of the ways to mitigate these barriers is through proper education and awareness campaigns. There should be effective communication and open channels to improve the trust among the project teams. Cultural change is necessary for flagging up partnering, and these will take care of other issues and problems. Novelty/Improvements: Partnering implementation barriers have not empirically studied in Nigeria context, this paper created that awareness, and if recommendations of this paper implemented, future partnering projects would perform better.