Professor M.O. Babalola

PurposeBuilding information modeling (BIM) inclusion in education pedagogy is crucial in preparing skilled graduates for employment in the construction industry. Against this backdrop, studies on BIM education abound in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) programmes in higher education institutions (HEIs). However, there are limited empirical studies on BIM potentials in the quantity surveying (QS) profession in HEIs, particularly in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession using an empirical approach.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the BIM drivers and benefits in relation to the QS profession, which was used to design a questionnaire. To capture a broad perception, a questionnaire survey was carried out which targeted the academia and final year undergraduate students from two selected universities offering QS honour degree programmes in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using mean score, standard deviation and Mann–Whitney test.
Findings
The study identified 12 BIM drivers in relation to the QS profession and the analysis of the ranking revealed that almost all the identified BIM drivers are considered by respondents as important. The study further identified 14 BIM benefits and the analysis of the ranking indicated that all the identified BIM benefits are considered as important. The results of the Mann–Whitney test indicated a slight statistically significant difference, particularly in one of the selected universities on the ranking of the BIM drivers and benefits as important to the QS profession.
Practical implication
The findings of the study provide empirical evidence on the current perceptions of the drivers and benefits of BIM to QS academia and students as they explore the concept for the advancement of QS profession.
Originality/value
This study would provide practical insights to use BIM for QS practice. Also, this study would contribute to improving the QS graduates and professional quantity surveyors understanding of the BIM knowledge applicable to QS profession.

Every employment has deposit of activities to be performed by her employees. These activities vary with industries and who performs each of these activities is determined by how significance they are to the employment operation. Construction is one of such industries whose activities necessitate the growth and development of infrastructure needs of the societies. The activities in the construction industry are performed by different trades' artisans refer to as informal workers/artisans in this paper. Hence, this paper examines the activities of informal construction workers/artisans in Nigeria with a view to classify these activities according to various trades in the industry. A comprehensive list of construction activities was made and informal workers/artisans were asked to rank these activities based on the frequency of how they are being performed on construction projects. Data collected were analyzed using factor analysis which classified these activities into principal components that described construction trades. The result of the study shows that the most frequent activities are associated with demolition & reconstruction and woodwork while the least frequent activities associated with electrical works. The result also classifies activities in the industry into various trades including plumbing installations, mansory & blockwork, steelworks, woodworks, electrical installations, painting & decoration; and demolition & reconstruction. The finding of this study provides information on the activities of the informal workers/artisans in the construction industry for the professionals, employers and policy makers to provide enabling and friendly environment for efficient service delivery in the construction industry.

Every employment has its mode(s) of engagement. The nature of activities within an organization also determines the structure of engagement. Studies have described artisans’ employment in the construction industry as informal because employers fail to obey employment regulations. The paper investigated the employment structure of the informal workers/artisans in the Nigerian construction industry with a view to examine the informal workers’ means of engagement, types of employers, forms of employment and engagement requirements. Study data were collected through a well structured questionnaire administered on informal workers/artisans and contractors. Data were analyzed using both the descriptive and inferential statistics. Cross-tabulation shows the relationship existing among variables of employment while Chi -Square established the significance of these variables. The study found out that informal workers are engaged through previous employers and contacts; however, they often work for building owners and contractors. Building owners and the contractors offer informal workers contract and temporary forms of employments respectively. Both the informal workers (employees) and contractors (employers) confirmed that informal workers/artisans are engaged based study further established that there was a significant relationship between the informal workers’ engagement by previous employers and their previous work experience.