A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE PRACTICE CHARACTERISTICS OF ARCHITECTURAL FIRMS IN NIGERIA

By

Adedapo Adewunmi OLUWATAYO. MAT NO- CUGP/04/0091

Presented To

Department of Architecture

ABSTRACT

Very little is known about the architectural firms in Nigeria. The  study  thus  explored  the
characteristics of architectural firms  in  Nigeria  empirically  using  the  systems  approach  to  the study of organizations. The study investigated the organizational profiles, cultures,  strategies  and structures of the architectural firms. The tasks and information  technology  characteristics  of  the architectural  firms  as  well  as  the  external  influences  on  the  firms   were   also   investigated, culminating in the investigation of the types of architectural firms that existed in Nigeria.This study thus took an approach which was  exploratory  and  descriptive.  Therefore,  the research  was  mainly  inductive.   The   architectural   practice   was   studied   as   a   professional organization and the architectural firms were  studied  holistically,  taking  the  systems  approach. The  sample  size  was  derived  from  the  list  of  architectural   firms   registered   by   Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON, 2006). The purposive  and  random  sampling  methods were employed. The survey  and  qualitative  methods  were  used,  with  the  firm  as  the  unit  of analysis. The survey instrument was the structured questionnaire, while the qualitative  instrument was the interview schedule. The  ninety-two  (92)  questionnaires  collected  were  analyzed  using frequencies, cross tabulations, the chi-square test, principal component analysis, the coefficient  of correlation (Pearson’s product-moment correlation  coefficient),  Multiple  Analysis  of  Variance, (MANOVA), discriminant analysis, regression analysis and cluster  analysis.   The  data  from  the interview were analyzed using content analysis.
The five types of firms identified by the study included male-dominated firms,  amorphous
firms, conventional firms, stable/ traditional firms and versatile firms.  The most important  causes of differences between the types of architectural firms in Nigeria  were  level  of  specialization  of activities, and varieties of services offered, which accounted for more than half of  the  differences between the firms.
Most of the architectural firms sampled in Nigeria were found  to  be  more  than  ten  (10)
years old, small sized, and owned by a sole principal. They had the culture of innovation,  but  not the culture of aggression in the pursuit of business opportunities or concern for  profit.  The  study found that most of the clients of the architectural firms  were  private  individuals  in  Nigeria  and most of their projects were residential projects. Most of the clients of the architectural  firms  were sourced through personal contact and the projects most of the  firms  carried  out  were  those  that they were able to obtain commissions for. Most of the firms were engaged in projects  which  used the design and build method and these firms were found to  have  more  residential  projects.  Also participation in design and build method appeared to be a survival strategy as  the  firms  that  had existed for more than 15 years did not participate in projects which used  this  method.  The  firms mostly used competence in design, followed by AUTOCAD and information  technology  literacy as criteria for the selection of staff. Findings of the  study  indicated  that  information  technology facilities were highly available in most of the firms, and the internet was mostly used for  sourcing information. The results also suggest that the internet was used as a tool for centralization.
The study further found that the external influences on most of the architectural firms were
not so strong and the greatest influences were those exerted  by  clients,  advances  in  information technology and the national economy.  The  characteristics  of  the  firms  most  affected  by  these external influences were the staff management culture of the firms, the strategic goals of the  firms and the qualification and experience of the principal.
The study concluded that architectural firms need to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunities
provided by information technology to operate on a global level. There is a need  for  architectural schools in Nigeria to fully   integrate  internship  into  the  study  of  architecture  as  well  as  train students extensively in construction  methods  to  meet  the  demands  of  architectural  firms.  The study further concluded that there is a need for the business  training  of  architects  as  this  was  a factor responsible for the success of architectural  firms.  The  systems  approach  to  the  study  of architectural firms had been useful and practical.  More  studies  are  required,  using  the  systems approach, on peculiarities of architectural firms and their management strategies.

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 â€" 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