Extent of specialized software usage in the delivery of quantity surveying services in South West Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose This study was done to unearth the state of digital transformation in the delivery of construction cost management in Nigeria. The study investigated the extent of usage of specialized software in the delivery of Quantity Surveying Services (QSSs) to improve construction project delivery in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study used a convenient sampling technique to randomly select 146 Quantity Surveyors in Ekiti and Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. Analysis of data was carried out with the use of frequency, percentile, mean score, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, ANOVA and factor analysis. Findings The study found that the average awareness level about the identified software for the delivery of QSSs among quantity surveyors is low (MS = 2.83). Analysis of individual software shows that the awareness of quantity surveyors is high on Microsoft Excel (MS = 4.28), AutoCAD (MS = 3.93) and QS CAD (MS = 3.71). More findings indicated that the extent of usage of the software by quantity surveyors is low. However, there was observable high usage of Microsoft Excel. The important factors that influence the usage of specialized software in the study area are lack of accessibility (MS = 4.17), the high initial cost of mounting the software (MS = 4.05), and poor digital education (MS = 3.85). The result of the factor analysis indicated that the factors influencing the usage of specialized software in the delivery of quantity surveying services could be categorized into three component groupings – cost-related, education issues and ease of use factors. Practical implications The study will improve digital education for Quantity Surveyors from the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and a policy from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to improve access to specialized software for Quantity Surveyors. Originality/value This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the current landscape of software adoption in the field of quantity surveying in Nigeria.