INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) DEPLOYMENT IN ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Architecture

ABSTRACT 
Architectural practice has been in existence in Nigeria for more than fifty years and the 
earliest introduction of computers by firms  for  operations began in the early 1980s. 
Information and communication technology (ICT)  usage is inevitable in all fields  of 
endeavours and for professionals in the present era. The study of ICT usage and deployment 
therefore becomes imperative. This study aims at providing an understanding of the deployment of  ICT in architectural firms in Nigeria. It specifically examines organizational 
and ICT characteristics of the firms; the measure of fit between ICT tools deployed and tasks 
engaged; the effect of training programmes on  the availability of  ICT proficient personnel; and  the level of acceptance of Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW) in 
architectural firms in Nigeria. The Task-Technology Fit model (TTF) and an Extended 
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) were  employed to test deployment of four design 
technologies (AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Revit Architecture and SketchUp) and the acceptance 
of CSCW. The multistage sampling technique was used to derive the sample drawn from six 
cities: Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Enugu, Lagos and Portharcourt were selected  based on 
documented evidence of having the largest number of firms in their zones. A  total of 118 
questionnaires were returned from a total of 159 distributed. This represents a 74.21% return 
rate. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, crosstabulations, Chi-
Square tests, exploratory factor analysis,  Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)  and multiple 
regression analysis. The study revealed  improvements in the quality and availability of ICT 
systems in architectural firms in Nigeria as from 2001.  Internet connectivity and Website 
ownership is on the increase in architectural firms. Annual turnover of the architectural firms 
has is positively correlated to  the quality of installed systems. The study also found a 
relationship between ownership of websites and the date of ICT introduction. The integrated 
TTF/TAM test showed levels of fit between tasks engaged in architectural firms and the 
design technologies deployed. The model tests explain between  41.4%  -  52.1% of the 
residual variation in the production of detailed system product. The  coefficients of 
determination  and beta  coefficients  are significant to predict  model  fit  of  deployment. 
Reasonable proficiency levels of the staff in the deployment of the available software and 
technologies were confirmed. Furthermore firms are getting increasingly involved in 
outsourcing as a service delivery strategy. The study revealed that few firms fund training 
programmes within their organizations. Most of those that fund training programs commit 
lower than a million naira to it annually. The study revealed that there is no  significant 
relationship  between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff and the existence of 
training programmes within the firms. It was also confirmed that there was no  significant 
relationship between the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff  and the training methods 
employed by the firms. It was found that there was a  significant  relationship  between the 
availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff and the CAD/BIM proficient staff needed.  The 
interview responses suggest that the schools of architecture have done much towards 
achieving  the availability of CAD/BIM proficient staff. CSCW has been adopted by only 
37.3% of the firms and the study revealed that perceived ease-of-use, security and the quality 
of installed systems were predictors of the extended TAM model.  In conclusion, the study 
recommends  that concerted efforts towards developing network infrastructure especially 
broadband access can  improve the practice of outsourcing and also have impact on CSCW. 
Quality investment and commitment by technology companies and vendors, firms, the 
government and other stakeholders in the area of ICT acquisitions, network security and the 
development of user-friendly technologies will surely improve adoption and deployment of 
ICT in architectural firms in Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Title Page    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..i 
Declaration    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .ii 
Certification    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - iii 
Dedication    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - iv 
Acknowledgements   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .v 
Abstract    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .vi 
Table of Contents  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .vii 
List of Tables    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .xiii 
List of Figures    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .xv 
List of Plates    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .xvii 
 
Chapter One: Introduction 
1.1  Background to the Study - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..1 
1.2  Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..3 
1.3  Aim and Objectives - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .5 
1.4  Research Hypothesis - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..5 
1.5  Justification of the Research - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..6 
1.6  Research Design - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .7 
1.7  Scope of Study - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..8 
1.8  Limitation of Study - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..8 
1.9  Key Definitions and Concepts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9 
1.10  Summary - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..11 
 
Chapter Two: Review of Literature 
 
2.1  Introduction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12 
2.2  Architecture and the Architect - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..12 
2.3  Scope of Architectural services - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 
  2.3.1  Scope of Services - - - - - - - - - - - - - .p; 2.3.2  Normal Architectural Service: The Three Stages - - - - - - - 15 
2.4  Architectural Practice in Nigeria - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..16 
  2.4.1  Architecture and Regulatory Institutions in Nigeria - - - - - - ..18 
2.5  Historical Account from CAD to BIM - - - - - - - - - - - - ..19 
2.5.1  The Advent and Development of the Computer - - - - - - - - 19 
  2.5.2  Evolution and Development of CAD, CAAD and Graphic Packages - - .20 
  2.5.3  Evolution of Communication Systems - - - - - - - - - - 22 
2.6  The Real and the Virtual - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 23  
2.7  ICT Applications in Architectural Firms - - - - - - - - - - - ..24 
  2.7.1   Areas of Applications of ICT in Architectural Firms - - - - - - - 24 
2.8  ICT Adoption and Deployment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ..25 
  2.8.1  General Administrative Application - - - - - - - - - - - 26 
  2.8.2  Core Architectural Applications - - - - - - - - - - - - .27 
  2.8.3   Computer Aided Design (2D and 3D CAD) - - - - - - - - ..27 
  2.8.4   CAAD as Distinct from CAD - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 
  2.8.5   Digital Object Library (DOL) - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
  2.8.6   Design and Virtual Modelling - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 
  2.8.7   Animations and Simulations - - - - - - - - - - - - ..32 
2.8.8  5D Modelling - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 32 
2.9  BIM and Its Significance to Architectural services - - - - - - - - - 33 
2.9.1  Challenges of BIM Solutions - - - - - - - - - - - - - 34 
2.10  Web-Based Deployment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .35 
2.11  Human Resource for CAD, CAAD and BIM - - - - - - - - - - ..38 
  2.11.

About e-Project Material Centre


e-Project Material Centre is a web service aimed at successfully assisting final year students with quality, well-researched, reliable, and ready-made project work. Our materials are recent, complete (chapter 1 to Minimum of Chapter 5, with references), and well-written. INSTANT ACCESS! INSTANT DOWNLOAD. Simply select your department, choose from our list of topics available, and explore your data.

Why Students Love to Use e-Project Material?


Guaranteed Delivery: Getting your project delivered on time is essential. You cannot afford to turn in your project past the deadline. That is why you must get your project online from a company that guarantees to meet your deadline. e-Project Topics Material Centre is happy to offer instant delivery of projects listed on our website. We can handle just about any deadline you send our way. Satisfaction Guaranteed: We always do whatever is necessary to ensure every customer's satisfaction.

Disclaimer


e-Project Topics Material Centre will only provide projects as a reference for your research. The projects ordered and produced should be used as a guide or framework for your own project. The contents of the projects should help you generate new ideas and thoughts for your own project. It is the aim of e-Project Topics Centre to only provide guidance by which the projects should be pursued. We are neither encouraging any form of plagiarism nor are we advocating the use of the projects produced herein for cheating.

Terms and Conditions


Using our service is LEGAL and IS NOT prohibited by any university/college policies. You are allowed to use the original model papers you will receive in the following ways:
  • As a source for additional understanding of the subject
  • As a source for ideas for your own research (if properly referenced)
  • For PROPER paraphrasing (see your university definition of plagiarism and acceptable paraphrase) Direct citing (if referenced properly)
Thank you so much for your respect to the author's copyright.

Refund and Privacy Policy


  • Refunds: All sales are final. However, if you encounter any issues with accessing your purchased material, kindly contact our support team for immediate resolution.
  • Privacy Policy: Your personal information is protected and will not be shared with third parties. We ensure secure payment processing and data confidentiality.

Contact Information


X

Need Help Finding or Downloading Your Project Material?

If you don't see the topic you're looking for or You need urgent/express attention, click the WhatsApp Icon/link below to contact ADMIN and get the material you need instantly. We are always available online to attend to your needs. Thanks