TABLE OF CONTENT      
  ---------------------------i
Declaration  ---------------------------ii
Certification--------------------------iii
Dedication   --------------------------iv
Acknowledgement   ------------------------v
Abstract --------------------------vi
Table of Content---------------------viii
List of Tables   ------------------------xiv
List of Figure   ------------------------xvi
List of Plates   ------------------------xx
Appendices ------------------------xxi
CHAPTER ONE         INTRODUCTION
1       Background of Study -----------------1
11       Problem Definition --------------------3
2       Aim and Objectives of the Research   ----------------8
3       Justification ----------------------8
4       Scope of Study   ------------------10
15       Summary--------------------11

CHAPTER TWO        LITERATURE REVIEW
20        Introduction---------------------12
21       Perspectives in the Study of Organizations-------------12
22       Contingency Theory and Organizational Characteristics   ---------14
23       Characteristics of Organizations--------------14
231    Technological Characteristics------------18
232    Structural Characteristics    ---------------20
233    Strategy  ------------------21
234     Personnel Characteristics   ---------------21
235    Physical Environment--------------22
236    Culture of Organizations: Goals and Value Systems ------22
237    External Environment--------------23
24       Organizational Configuration and Organizational Patterns---------24
25       Organizational Classification --------------25
251    Approaches to Organizational Classification --------26
252     Typological and Taxonomical Procedures in Organizational Classification ----------------28
26       The Study of Professions    -----------------30
27       The Study of Professional Organizations   -------------32
28       The Architectural Profession and its Characteristics  -----------33
29       The Architectural Firm  ---------------34
291    Architectural Practice as Professional service   -------35
292    Architectural Practice as Creative Endeavour   -------36
293    Architecture as Business-------------36
210     Challenges to Architectural Practice   --------------49
211     The Characteristics of Architectural Firms ------------41
2111  Strategies of Architectural Firms----------42
2111 1           Business Strategies ---------43
21112           Competitive Strategy ---------44
211 13           Staffing Strategies   ------------46
2112  Structure of Architectural firms -----------47
2113  Organizational Profile  of Architectural Firms ---------49
2114  Technological characteristics -----------50
212     Studies of Architectural firms-------------52
213     Methodological Approaches to the Study of Architectural Firms ------53
214     Summary-------------------54

CHAPTER THREE    CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
30       Introduction --------------------57
31       The System Approach to the Study of Organizations-------57
32       Empirical Approach to classification -----------60
33        Summary    --------------------61

CHAPTER FOUR       METHODOLOGY
40        Introduction---------------------62
41       Methodological Approach  -----------------62
42       The Study Population ----------------62
43       Sampling Method    -------------------63
44       Size of Sample   ------------------63
45       Subjects  --------------------66
461    Data Collection Instruments  --------------66
462    Questionnaire/ Interview Design    ---------------66
47       Data Collection and Treatment  --------------67
471    Sub Problem 1----------------67
472    Sub Problem 2----------------68
473    Sub Problem 3----------------69
474    Sub Problem 4----------------69
475    Sub Problem 5----------------70
48       Pilot Test-- -------------------70
49       Preliminary Survey Details -----------------70
410     Chapter Summary   -------------------71

CHAPTER FIVE        PROFILES OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS
50       Introduction ---------------------73
51       Age Profiles of Firms  -------------------73
52       Ownership Form of Firms   -----------------74
53       Reasons Why Principals Started Firms  -----77
54       Registration Status of Firms  --------------77
55       Staff Profiles of the Architectural Firms------------78
551    Number of Staff in Architectural Firm  ----------78
552    The Number of Professionals in the Firms -----------80
553    The Number of Support Staffs in the Firms-----------81
554    Qualification of the Architects in the Firms   -----------83
555    Designation of Architects   ---------------84
556    Gender Profile----------------85
56       Client Profile  ------------------87
561    Clientele and Ownership Form of Architectural Firms ------88
562    Client and Age of Architectural Firm -------------89
57       Economic Profile    -------------------90
571    Average Size of Projects Carried Out in the Last two Years  -------90
57 2    Sizes of Projects Targeted in the Next One Year   ---------92
573    Means of Remuneration --------------93
574    Perception of the Successes of the Architectural Firms ------94
58       Characteristics of the Principal  --------------96
581    Gender of Principal -----------------96
582    Age of Principal ----------------97
583    Number of Firms that Principal Previously Worked in ------98
584    Highest Qualification of Principal  -------------99
585    Additional Qualifications of Principals--  --------100
586    Years of Experience of Principal    ------------101
587    Number of Years of experience of Principal before Starting firms-------103
588    Institutions Attended by Principals -----------103
   59       Factors of Organizational Profile of Architectural Firms      ----105
510     Types of Architecture Firms Based on the Profiles of the Firms   -----107
5101  Profile Attributes of Firms in cluster 1  --------108
5102  Profile Attributes of Firms in cluster 2  --------109
5103  Profile Attributes of Firms in cluster 3  --------109
5104  Profile Attributes of Firms in cluster 4  --------110
5105  Profile Attributes of Firms in cluster 5  --------111
511 Summary------------------111

CHAPTER SIX            CULTURAL PROFILE OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS
60       Introduction --------------------114
61       Organizational Culture of Architectural Firms  ---------114
62       Major Cultural values of Architectural firms  ------------118
63       Cultural Values of Architectural Firms and Other Characteristics of the firm----119
631    Organizational Cultural Values of Architectural Firms and Innovation--119
632    Cultural Values of Architectural Firms and Ownership Form   ----120
633       Cultural Values of Architectural Firms and Means of Remuneration-----
121
634    Cultural Values of Architectural Firms and the Age of the Principal-----121
64       Leadership Styles of the Principal  --------------122
65       Spatial Arrangement of Most Parts of Architectural Offices -----124
66       Personalization of the Reception Area   -----------125
67       Factors of organizational Culture of Architectural Firms   --------126
68       Types of Architectural Firms Based on the Cultures of the Firms ------128
681    Cultural Attributes of Firms in the First Cluster-------129
682    Cultural Attributes of Firms in the Second Cluster--------130
683    Cultural Attributes of Firms in the Third Cluster   --------131
684    Cultural Attributes of Firms in the Fourth Cluster --------132
69       Summary-------------------133

CHAPTER SEVEN    ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS
70       Introduction --------------------135
71       Business Strategies of Architectural Firms ------------135
711    Client Group Targeted   -------------135
712    Projects in the Firm’s Portfolio  -----------137
713    Reasons for the Proportions of Different Project Types-----138
714    Means of Building Clients  ---------------139
72       Competitive Strategies of Architectural Firms  ----------142
721    Network of Branches of Architectural Firms --------143
722    Network of Branches in West Africa and other Parts of the World-------144
723    Collaboration with other Firms  ------------145
724    Long-term Contracts and Sub-Commissions --------150
725    Architectural Firms and Building Procurement Methods   -------152
726    Ranking of Strategic Principles of Architectural Firms ------155
727    Major Strategic Principles of Architectural Firms  ---------157
73       Staffing strategies of Firms -----------------158
731    Criteria for Selection of Staffs (Architects)-----------158
732    Means of Retaining Competent staffs----------160
733    Staffing Mode of Architectural Firms----------163
74       Types of Architectural Firms based on the Strategies of the Firms-------164
741    Types of Architectural Firms based on the Business strategies ----164
742    Types of Architectural Firms based on the Competitive Strategies-------168
743    Types of Architectural Firms based on the Staffing Strategies ----172
75       Summary--------------------175

CHAPTER EIGHT     THE OFFICES STRUCTURE AND TASK AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY CHARACTERISTICS OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS
80       Introduction ---------------------178
81       Specialization of Duties ----------------178
82       Formalization of Activities -----------------181
83       Centralization of Decision Making ---------------182
84       Delegation of Authority ----------------185
85       Forms of Organizational Structures of the Architectural Firms------186
86       Task and information technology characteristics of Architectural Firms   -----189
861    Services Offered by the Architectural Firms --------189
862    Organization of Staff for Execution of Projects--------190
863    Subletting of Services--------------191
87 Information Technology Characteristics of the Firms  -----------194
871    Availability of Information Technology Facilities in Firms   -------194
872    Application of Internet Facilities in Architectural Firms    -------195
873    Websites and Electronic Mail (E-Mail) Addresses ---------198
874    Information Technology, Size Ownership Forms and Structures of
Architectural Firms -----------------197
88       Types of Architectural Firms based on the Office Structures; and Task and
Information Technology Characteristics of the Firms   --------199
881     Types of Architectural Firms based on the Office Structures   ----199
882    Types of Architectural Firms based on the Task and Information
Technology Characteristics of Architectural Firms---------203
89       Summary--------------------205

CHAPTER NINE        TYPOLOGIES OF FIRMS AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON FIRMS
90        Introduction---------------------208
91       Strength of External Influences on firms    -------------208
92       The External Environment and other Characteristics of Architectural Firms-----210
93       Characteristics of architectural firms and success of the firm   ------212
94       Characteristics of architectural firms and success of the firms when the firms
are severely influenced by the external environment--------216
95        Description of the External Factors of the Architectural Firms---222
96       Types of Architectural Firms  -----------------223
97       Determinants of Organizational Differences between Architectural Firms   -----227
98       Summary--------------------228

CHAPTER TEN SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
100     Introduction ---------------------230
101     Summary of Results and Conclusion----------------230
102     Implications of the Findings   -----------------233
103     Opportunities for Further Research---------------234
104     Concluding Remarks   -------------------235
REFERENCES  ----------------------236

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1            Location of Registered Architectural Firms in Nigeria -------10
Table 41         Calculated Sample Sizes---------------65
Table 42         Distribution of Questionnaires to Architectural Firms According to City
Locations-------------------71
Table 51         Ages of Firms as Contained in the Register of Architectural Firms Entitled to
Practice in Nigeria   ------------------74
Table 52         Ownership Form of Firms from the Register of Architectural Firms Entitled to
Practice in Nigeria   ------------------79
Table 53         Number of Professionals in Firms  --------------81
Table 54         Number of Support Staffs in Firms --------------82
Table 55         Qualification of Architects  ----------------84
Table 56          Designation of Architects  ----------------85
Table 57          Sex of Staffs  -----------------86
Table 58         Clients of Architectural Firms   -------------88
Table 59         Means of Remuneration ---------------93
Table 510       Additional Qualifications of principals of architecture Firms   ----101
Table 511        Institution Attended by Principal   -------------104
Table 512       Profile Factor Descriptions ---------------106
Table 61         Ranking of Cultural Values---------------115
Table 62         Factors of Cultural Values of Architectural Firms ---------118
Table 63         Correlations between Innovation and other Cultural Attributes----120
Table 64         Cultural Factor Descriptions   ---------------128
Table 71         Reasons for Collaboration     ------------149
Table 72         Ranking of Strategic Principles of Architectural Firms ----156
Table 73         Factors of Strategic Principles of Architectural Firms  ------158
Table 74         Ranking of Criteria for Selection of Staffs (Architects)------159
Table 81         Formalization of Activities    ------------182
Table 82         Centralization of Decisions    ------------183
Table 83         Ranking of the Frequencies of Services offered by Architectural Firms   ----190
Table 84         Ranking of Availability of Information Technology Facilities ----194
Table 85         Ranking of the Application of Internet Facilities   ---------195
Table 91         Ranking of Strength of external Influences on Architectural Firms   -----209
Table 92:        Discriminant Analysis- Success of firms-----------
--213
Table 93         Canonical Discriminant Function Coefficients- Success of Firms -----214
Table 94         Functions at Group Centroids- Success of Firms   ---------214
Table 95         Classification Results- Success of Firms    -----------215
Table 96:        Discriminant Analysis- Success under severe external influences -----217
Table 97         Canonical Discriminant Function Coefficients- Success under severe external
influences    -------------------217
Table 98         Functions at Group Centroids- Success under severe external influences ---218
Table 99         Classification Results   Success under severe external influences --------218
Table 910       Discriminant Analysis- Success under weak external influences   -----220
Table 911       Canonical Discriminant Function Coefficients- Success under weak external influences--------221
Table 912       Functions at Group Centroids- Success under weak external influences   ---221
Table 913       Classification Results- Success under weak external influences    -----221
Table 914       Categorical Principal Component Analysis " Model Summary----223
Table 915            Description of Dimensions of the external environment   -------223


LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 21        The Organizational System------------------17
Figure 22        Sources of Business for Professionals ‘--------------38
Figure 31        Outline of the Researcher’s Process of Thought    ------------60
Figure 51        Ages of firms -------------------74
Figure 52        Ownership Forms of Firms ------------------75
Figure 53        Registration of Firm with ARCON----------------78
Figure 54        Total Numbers of Staff in Architectural Firms -----------79
Figure 55        Percentage of Staff of Architecture Firms who were Women  -------86
Figure 56        Average Size of Project   done in the last two years ---------91
Figure 57        Cost of Projects Targeted in the Next One Year    ------------92
Figure 58        Perception of the Firm’s Success   ----------------94
Figure 59        Gender of Principal --------------------96
Figure 510      Age Group of Principal -----------------97
Figure 511      Number of Firms that Principal Previously worked in  ---------98
Figure 512      Highest Qualification of Principal  ---------99
Figure 513      Possession of Other Qualifications by Principal-----------101
Figure 514      Number of Years of experience of Principal ----------102
Figure 515      Number of Years that the Principal had been registered with Architects
registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON)  -------------102
Figure 516      Number of Years of Experience of Principal Before Starting Firms -------103
Figure 517       Cluster Distributions of Types of Architectural Firms Based on the Profiles
            of the Firms ------------------108
Figure 518       Variables Important in the Formation of Cluster 1 of Firms Based on Profiles--108
Figure 519       Variables Important in the Formation of Cluster 2 of Firms Based on Profiles--109
Figure 520       Variables Important in the Formation of Cluster 3 of Firms Based on Profiles--110
Figure 521       Variables Important in the Formation of Cluster 4 of Firms Based on Profiles--110
Figure 522       Variables Important in the Formation of Cluster 5 of Firms Based on Profiles--111
Figure 61        Description of the Principals --------------123
Figure 62       Spatial Arrangements of Architectural Offices--   ---------124
Figure 63       Number of Items in the Reception Area--  ---------125
Figure 64       Are there Drawings in the Reception Area?   --------125
Figure 65       Are there Models in the Reception Area?      --------125
Figure 66       Are there artworks or Paintings in the Reception Area?-- -------126
Figure 67       Are there Plants in the Reception Area?--  ---------126
Figure 68       Are there Awards, Plaques or Souvenirs in the Reception Area?   -------126
Figure 69       Are there Reading Materials in the Reception Area?  ------------
126
Figure 610     Cluster distribution of Firms Based on Cultures-- ---------129
Figure 611     Attributes of Firms in the First Cluster Based on Culture   ---------130
Figure 612     Attributes of Firms in the Second Cluster Based on Culture  ---------131
Figure 613     Attributes of Firms in the Third Cluster Based on Culture ---------131
Figure 614     Attributes of Firms in the Fourth Cluster Based on Culture   ---------132
Figure 71       Client Groups Targeted  ----------------136
Figure 72      Client Groups Targeted- Multiple Response Results  --------136
Figure 73       Proportions of Different Project Types in Firms’ Portfolios   ---------138
Figure 74       Reasons for the Proportions of Project Types --------------139
Figure 75       Proportions of Clients from Various Sources ----------140
Figure 76       Network of Branches of Architectural firms  ----------143
Figure 77        Number of Branches of Architectural Firms in Nigeria--------143
Figure 78        Network of Branches in West Africa and Other Parts of the World ----145
Figure 79        Does the Firm Collaborate Locally with other Firms?  -------146
Figure 710      Does the Firm Collaborate with other Firms outside Nigeria?  -----146
Figure 711      Firms Collaborated with Locally    --------------147
Figure 712      Firms Collaborated with Internationally    ------------147
Figure 713      Type of Collaboration Firms Were Involved in---------148
Figure 714      Reasons for Collaboration- Multiple response Results -------150
Figure 715      Proportion of Firms with Long-term Contracts ---------151