E-Procurement Use In The Nigerian Building Industry

 ABSTRACT

Since the mid-1990s, the use of the electronic procurement aspect of electronic commerce (e-commerce) in the different business and industrial sectors has increased globally. However, the extent of its adoption in the Nigerian building industry is not clearly understood. This study investigated e-procurement use in the Nigerian building industry with a goal to improve the general understanding of the extent of its adoption in this country. The research involved a questionnaire survey of 213 respondents drawn from consulting and contracting firms, client organizations in the private sector, and government institutions conducted in Nigeria in 2015. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and multiple regression analysis. The results show that the main users of e-procurement were quantity surveyors and construction/project managers in consulting firms. The most frequently used e-procurement technologies for advertising/announcing or receiving invitation to tender, exchanging project briefs and specifications, submitting/receiving tender/bids, and sourcing for materials and equipment were e-mails and websites. The type of organizations, top management support, and attitude towards current trends in e-procurement use in construction had the most significant influence on e-procurement adoption in the survey. The study concluded that only organisations with top management support and favourable attitudes towards the current trend in e-procurement use in construction, a good financial base, and information-technology-savvy staff would most likely adopt it in the Nigerian building industry.

Keywords: e-Procurement, e-Commerce, Building Industry, Internet, Survey, Nigeria