Abstract
M.Tech. (Construction Management)
Effective communication plays an important role in the construction industry; it can be related to the ingredients needed in construction projects to ensure their success. Project team who are clients, consultants, contractors and subcontractors are required to communicate effectively among themselves to achieve the project goal in terms of cost, quality, and timely delivery of project as well as clients’ satisfaction as ineffective communication among the project team can result in project failure.
One of the major challenge facing Nigeria construction projects is lack of effective communication among the construction professionals, and there is a need for drastic solution, to enable the growth and development of the construction industry and in turn have a positive effect on the nation economy entirely. Therefore, the research aims to explore how effective communication among project teams can be a tool in achieving construction project success in Southwest states of Nigeria.
The study identifies the factors that cause ineffective communication among project teams in the construction industry, investigates the communication channels that can be used to guide against ineffective communication, has and also evaluates the process that can improve effective communication for successful project delivery in the Nigerian construction industry.
The primary data were obtained through distribution of structured questionnaire to constructional professionals, which are consultants (architect, project manager, engineer, quantity surveyors) contractors; subcontractors and client who convey as the project team in the construction industry. Also, the secondary data were drawn from publications, journals, articles and books that are relevant to the study; 250 questionnaires were distributed, 220 were returned and 201 was useable because they were correctly filled and completed, which represent the 78% of the responds rate, which made the data formed the base of the study.
Analysis of the data was done using descriptive statistics as well as Cronbach alpha for reliability test to check the validity and reliability of the data, Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) software package was adopted for this purpose. The result revealed late circulation of project information, poor communication, method of communication, lack of regular site meeting as well as the use of incompetent professionals are the main factors that causes ineffective communication among project team in construction.
Leadership style, unclear communication objectives, poor listening ability, education and training are the major barriers that affect communication in construction. However, it was shown from the result that communication challenges occur mostly at the construction, as well as written and oral communication is required to have effective communication in the construction industry. The research provides communication process that can improve effective communication in the Nigerian construction as appropriate communication channel and prompt feedback...