in the delivery of construction projects
FEATURED PAPER
By Benedict Amade, PhD,
Victor Odinakachukwu Agbara,
Emmanuel Efe Uwaifo,
Godson Okereke
and
Ugochukwu Chinedu Udeozor
Owerri, Nigeria
Abstract
This study specifically set to identify the status and extent of utilization of Blockchain technology in the delivery of construction projects in Imo State, Nigeria. The study was guided by the technology acceptance model (TAM) theory. The study used a descriptive research design method of investigation, and a simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 123 from a population of 194 practitioners using the Krejcie and Morgan’s method of sample size determination. The data collection and survey instrument included a well-structured questionnaire, discussions, personal observations and visits to elicit information from respondents/construction project locations. The collected data was presented in the form of frequency distribution, figures, and charts using descriptive statistical tools using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. The study’s findings indicate a general low level of utilization/application of Blockchain technology in the delivery of construction projects in Imo state. This is due to the fact that none (0.00%) of the respondents have heard of Blockchain technology as applicable to construction projects-related activities, 9 (10.47%) have used Blockchain technology sparingly, 35 (40.70%) have never heard of Blockchain technology and 42 (48.84%) have heard of Blockchain technology, but never applied it on any construction project-related activity out of the eighty-six (86) responses used for the study. This study recommends that, a united front is needed to make Blockchain technology awareness-raising and encourage practitioners to embrace it. Blockchain can provide a dependable infrastructure for information management throughout all stages of the construction project life cycle as well as secure storage of sensitive sensor data.
Keywords: Adoption, Blockchain, Technology, Construction Projects, Imo state,
1.Introduction
Technical advancements have occurred at an almost unfathomable rate in recent years. Artificial intelligence, robotics, cloud computing, and the internet of things are just a few examples of how technology is changing our way of life and how we work (Agbara, 2024). The prospective changes in the commercial and social economy are not yet fully understood, but one thing appears certain: those who can use these technological developments on their company model can adapt fast, gain market competitive advantages, and give better service to clients and users.
Another of these groundbreaking technologies is Blockchain technology. Several advisors have identified its potential to transform sectors, business models, and operational processes like as payment settlement, accounting, administration, supply chain, customer interactions, funding, and so on. Blockchain is a sort of distributed ledger technology (DLT) that was publicly introduced as the underlying technology of Bitcoin about ten years ago. Blockchain is an information technology that is designed to adapt to structural issues. It can provide a comprehensive platform where project design and management take place in a Blockchain-backed building information model, integrated with a self-enforcing smart contract supplied by vendors chosen by a Blockchain network and managed by a Blockchain network on a larger scale of circular economy. This technology has the potential to bridge the trust gap between stakeholders (Mathews et al., 2017), automate many currently manual processes, provide a secure and reliable infrastructure for collaboration and information exchange, increase transparency, and provide a reliable chronological record keeping.
A public Blockchain is open to anybody, and data may be read or written by any user, whereas a private system is only accessible to a chosen few. A hybrid Blockchain, also known as a consortium Blockchain, enables exchange between various Blockchain networks. The source of Blockchain’s power is the lack of administrative power and the power of the crowd over data validity.
Because of the way Blockchain works, it eliminates the requirement for trust between parties as well as the need for adversarial contractual agreements owing to a lack of confidence. This study looks into three areas of Blockchain technology’s potential in the built environment sector. Payment and project management, procurement and supply chain management, building information modelling, and smart asset management are the four categories. Lastly, the difficulties associated with adopting Blockchain technology in construction projects are highlighted.
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How to cite this paper: Amade, B., Agbara, V. O., Uwaifo, E. E., Okereke, G., Udeozor, U. C. (2024). Status and extent of adoption of Blockchain technology in the delivery of construction projects; PM World Journal, Vol. XIII, Issue VII, July. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/pmwj143-Jul2024-Amade-et-al-status-of-blockchain-in-construction-projects.pdf
About the Authors
Benedict Amade, PhD
Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Nigeria
Benedict Amade is a Chartered Project Manager by Profession and a Probationer (Member) of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). He read and obtained a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI) U.S.A. and presently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Project Management Technology of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria where he has been lecturing for the past 15 years. His areas of research interest include construction project management, computer-based project management, construction supply chain management and information technology on construction projects. He has authored over 50 scientific publications in international refereed journals indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, Scimago etc. He has presented quality papers at international conferences both home and abroad. He is actively involved in other consultancy works. He can be reached at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3368-5432; benedictamade@yahoo.com; benedictamade@futo.edu.ng; benedictamade2@gmail.com.
Victor Odinakachukwu Agbara
Owerri, Nigeria
Victor Odinakachukwu Agbara, is a distinguished Civil Engineer by Profession who is committed to working with a team of young and talented professionals in designing, supervising and maintaining large commercial projects. He believes that commitment to work is key to producing quality infrastructural development. Victor Obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s (M.Sc) in Project Management Technology all from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria. He is also a professional member of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and FMP certification in 2021. He served in various capacity in the engineering and construction sector with over 15 years of practical experience. When his is off from work, Victor prefers spending his time playing snooker with his team and other outdoor activities which includes cycling. He can be contacted at victor.agbara.provastltd@gmail.com.
Godson Okereke, M.Sc
Federal University of Technology
Owerri, Nigeria
Godson Okereke is a Project Manager by Profession. He read and obtained a M.Sc (Master of Science) Degree in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He is presently an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Building of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria for the past 6 years. His areas of research interest include construction project management, building project management and quality management in building projects. He is actively involved in other consultancy works. He can be reached at godson.okereke@futo.edu.ng.
Engr. Emmanuel Efe Uwaifo
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Engr. Emmanuel Efe Uwaifo holds a Master’s degree in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Has over two decades of experience in complex project management in the oil and gas sector and extensive expertise in cloud systems architecture, Emmanuel Efe Uwaifo is the technological cornerstone of Pruudent Technologies. His track record of transitioning businesses from traditional to cloud-based systems reflects a deep-rooted understanding of innovative solutions in high-stakes environments. As Co-Founder and CTO, Emmanuel’s role is pivotal in pioneering the AI-enabled hazard detection software that Pruudent Technologies champions, ensuring workplace safety through cutting-edge PPE detection technology. His prior role as Operations Manager at U5 Global Limited honed his skills in operational efficiency and process improvement, contributing to his acumen in managing Pruudent Technologies’s technical direction. With an AWS Certified Solution Architect-Associate credential and a Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Emmanuel’s skills are instrumental in leading Pruudent Technologies’s mission to enhance workplace safety across manufacturing and construction industries. At Pruudent Technologies, Emmanuel’s vision is to integrate AI with safety management in real-time, a leap forward in operational safety protocols. His leadership is not just about deploying smart solutions but also about fostering an environment where safety is paramount and technologically enforced. As President, his strategic planning and policy development are key to aligning Pruudent Technologies’s innovative approach with the economic and social well-being of Canadian workplaces, ultimately contributing to a safer, more compliant industry standard. He can be contacted at efe.uwaifo@u5globalltd.com
Mr. Ugochukwu Chinedu Udeozor
Imo State, Nigeria
Mr. Ugochukwu Chinedu Udeozor is a Data/I. T Project manager, He serves as a Project Lead Head at Knowledge square Foresight Ltd., National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and as a consultant for Clearvision Technologies (Private firm). He holds both Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Project Management Technology from Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He is a Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) in Imo state. His research interest is in the area of Information Technology Innovation, Project management methodologies, Strategic/Operation management, Data fraud detection & Prevention, Cyber security and networking, Data management & analysis, Cloud technology and Artificial Intelligence. He has jointly published articles in some journals. Mr. Ugochukwu can be contacted at ugonnalouis@gmail.com / ugonnajoe@yahoo.com
