PARTICIPATION OF FEMALE QUANTITY SURVEYORS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT

The representation of women in traditionally male dominated jobs in developed countries has greatly increased due to changes in economies and worksite settings. However, women are still a minority group in the Nigerian Construction Industry (NCI), with a participation level of about 0.2% compared to 3.2% for men. Studies on women quantity surveyors’ (WQS) participation in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI) in Abuja-FCT area are scarce. This study’s aim is to investigate the participation of female quantity surveyors with a view to encourage more women involvement on construction activities. Specifically, it assessed the participation of WQS in key quantity surveying tasks and examined the motivational factors that influence WQS participation in the construction industry. The study employed mixed methods comprising of both questionnaire and interview to reach a total sample size of 188 respondents (78 males and 110 females); 137 questionnaires were retrieved, giving a response rate of 73%. Analysis of the data in relation to the study’s objectives was carried out using descriptive analysis. Findings from the analysis of data revealed that the level of participation of WQS in the NCI is within 60-80%; both female and male respondents held similar views regarding the level of women participation. The study also identified the top motivational factors influencing WQS participation which included having a formal education in construction related course such as quantity surveying. Furthermore, WQS were discovered to be most competent in areas such as preparing valuation and  quantification of construction works. WQS face a lot of challenges in their work, which include unsociable work hours and access restriction to some locations due to religio-cultural beliefs. It was recommended that: The Nigerian construction industry to include gender-inclusive policies and initiatives which will be instrumental in helping women overcome gender-based stereotypes and barriers, women  association  of  quantity surveyors  (WAQSN)  should  provide  training  and support to women who want to return to the workforce after a long break. Further research should be appraisal of the impact of unfavourable work hours on WQS participation in the NCI and assessing WQS participation in the construction sectors of different selected States in Nigeria.

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The construction industry provides immensely to the economy of every nation; the industry is in charge of the development of physical infrastructures which ensures that people’s economic and social needs are met (Shittu and Shehu, 2010).  The industry provides job for about 111 million people and is recognized as the world’s largest industrial employer (Babatunde et al., 2012).  The construction industry in Nigeria is second to agriculture sector in that it contributes to GDP and the number of persons it employs as workers (Akinsiku and Ajala, 2018).

Since the United Nations’ Decade for Women (1975-1985) was established, there has been a strong emphasis on gender equality, fairness, and female empowerment as a way of rising growth and improving a country’s socio-economic status. In most developed countries, the proportion of women in the workforce has risen dramatically in recent decades, owing to economic factors and changes in work environments. Women are increasingly entering traditionally male-dominated occupations (Jaafar et al., 2014). There is an increasing awareness that women make up more than half of the world’s population, and their importance in global economic management cannot be overstated. Female representation in various economic endeavours in both developed and developing countries has become the subject of research because of the need for completely unbiased  human resource utilization  (Adeyemi  et  al.,  2006). Women, according to Jimoh et al. (2016), are a largely untapped resource. Which has given rise to a growing global awareness of the effect of gender issues on education and national growth in recent years, both at the grassroots and at the policy level (Dada, 2017).

Construction industry consists of males and females in various professions. One of such professions is quantity surveying, practitioners with expert knowledge on costs and contracts. Since its inception, the profession of quantity surveying has suffered setbacks (Joel, 2016).

Due to the essential part that women play in the industry and the difficulties they face, Jimoh et al. (2016); Adeyemi et al. (2006); Akinsiku and Ajala (2018) examined obstacles to female participation in Nigerian construction industry. Similarly, Tunji- Olayeni et al. (2018) investigated job satisfaction among female Builders, Quantity Surveyors, and Engineers in the construction industry. Adogbo et al. (2015) devised a strategy   for   retaining   and   bringing   in   female   workers   in   the   building industry. According to Odubiyi (2018), the recent trend of female construction professionals diversifying is encouraging and also a welcome development because it will improve profit generation for the women and over time, boost the economy. Since a Quantity surveyor is a cost expert and cost is so crucial to a project’s success, a research focussing on the construction professional that is saddled with cost management is vital. Therefore, study on the females in quantity surveying as it affects construction sector is critical and it is on the basis of this background, that this study was carried out to examine the participation of women in the construction sector within FCT Abuja.

1.2  Statement of Research Problem

The construction industry comprises of various professions such as civil engineering, building, architecture, quantity surveying, etc. Each of these professions contributes greatly to the success of construction projects and quantity surveying is one of the professions having great impact on the success of construction project (Hussin and Omran, 2009).

The challenges being faced by women at work varies and most at- times is far rooted in the process of socialisation that such women have been exposed to from childhood. With such socialisation, women may incline or decline towards a career. Gender stereotyping may directly or indirectly make girls to steer clear of studies and jobs considered to be for males, such stereotyping is strengthened by comments received from childhood which eventually and unconsciously results into barriers, and such barriers have been classified as either ‘external’ or ‘internal’ to the person concerned (Adogbo et al., 2015).

Preliminary survey conducted in the study area by the researcher revealed that the Quantity Surveyors (women) who are members of NIQS practicing within Abuja is 110, whose population is far too small compared to that of males (1002). With this figure, it is glaring that the number of women quantity surveyors participating in the construction industry is low. This implies that there are certain factors or barriers responsible for this low involvement and that is yet to be ascertained (Adogbo et al., 2015). Therefore, it is impossible to address or tackle the issue of gender stereotyping without an in-depth study of current participation level of female professionals specifically quantity surveyors. This is the gap in knowledge that this study contributed to filling.

1.3  Research Questions

1. What is the level of participation of women QS on construction sector?

2. What are the main motivational forces prompting the participation of WQS in the Construction Industry?

3. What are the areas of competence of WQS in construction industry?

4. What are the challenges facing WQS while performing their duties in the Nigerian Construction Industry?

1.4  Aim and Objectives

This study’s aim is to investigate the participation of female quantity surveyors with a view to encourage more women involvement on construction activities.

In order to accomplish this aim, the study pursued these objectives: –

i. Assess the level of participation of women quantity surveyors in key quantity surveying tasks carried out in the construction industry.

ii. Examine   the   motivational   factors   prompting   female   quantity   surveyors participation in the construction industry.

iii. Assess the competency of women quantity Surveyors in discharging quantity surveying services in the construction industry.

iv. Investigate the challenges encountered by women quantity surveyors in the course of participation in the construction industry.

1.5  Justification of the Study

In spite of the contributions of the female quantity surveyors to the male dominated construction industry, they are still being plagued with numerous challenges. Hay and English (2015) affirmed that the challenges facing women professionals’ (such as Quantity Surveying professionals) participation in the construction industry scares and prevents them from getting fully involved.

Therefore, this study provides more enlightenment on level female quantity surveyors participation in the Nigerian Construction Industry. Data provided could be used in the evaluation of the impact of legislation such as the Employment Equity Act (EEA) which seeks to ensure that minorities are equitably represented in paid employment. Since women are minority group in the Nigerian Construction Industry, given that their participation level is about 0.2% compared to 3.2% for men.

This study will be beneficial to quantity surveying profession, policy makers and government in formulating legislation and policies to improve female participation in quantity surveying profession which will be significant for the building industry as a whole. Furthermore, with this study members of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and its affiliate (Women Association of Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria, WAQSN) will be motivated to improve their professional skills and give in their best in the course of delivering their professional duties.

1.6  Scope of the Study

The study is gender-based; it considered the participation of female Quantity Surveyors (both in private and public sectors of the construction industry) who are members of WAQSN based in Abuja. So as to enable me source for sufficient data, Abuja was selected because all ministries, parastatals and professional bodies in the country have their headquarters in the FCT. This study investigated the factors influencing participation of female Quantity Surveyors in the construction sector, their competency and the challenges encountered during the course of practice. The study focused on Quantity Surveyors practising in Abuja, female Quantity Surveyors surveyed was based on the record obtained from WAQSN, an affiliation of Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors.  The study is limited to Quantity Surveyors practicing; those in academic institutions  were  not  considered.  This  study was  conducted  using  mixed  method (questionnaire and interviews).

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