AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS OF QUANTITY SURVEYING CONSULTANTS

(A CASE STUDY OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA)

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Previous studies have indicated a high firm mortality rate in the construction industry especially in Quantity Surveying (QS) firms. The failures have been attributed to the poor adoption of certain entrepreneurial skills by the QS professionals in running their firms. This study assessed these entrepreneurial skills (marketing, communication, financial, management and team-player skills) of Quantity Surveying consultants in order to synthesise a response strategy for the adoption of these skills for the survival and growth of QS firms in Nigeria. Data was collected through well-structured questionnaires which were distributed to 34 Quantity Surveying consultants in Kaduna. Tools for analysis were frequency tables, means, percentages and standard deviation. Validation of data collected was done by conducting interviews with principal partners/owners of registered QS firms that are above 10 years old to get an in-depth understanding of some of the issues raised during the questionnaire survey. The summary of the findings in this study suggest that the adoption of entrepreneurial skills by QS consultants in Kaduna State is quite significant with exception to marketing which was the least adopted skill. Management, communication and financial skills were more adopted by the firms who have experienced growth. However, some of the skills were adopted indirectly by the firms so as not to offend the professional code of conducts. To this end, this study concludes that the adoption of entrepreneurial skills in QS firms is of paramount importance in the light of the stiff competition in the profession. While the adoption of these skills may not be the only ingredient for QS firm?s survival and growth in Nigeria, they have helped some firms to keep afloat. Some business strategies such as dealing honestly with clients, having a good pricing/bidding strategy etc. were recommended for adoption by practising QS firms. Similar studies should be conducted nationwide to obtain and compare results from other States.