Effectiveness of Internal Firm Factors in Driving Mechanisation for Improved Project Performance in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Mechanisation is increasingly adopted in the Nigerian construction industry to improve productivity, operational efficiency and project delivery. However, the internal organisational conditions that practitioners consider necessary for the effective use of mechanised systems remain insufficiently documented, particularly in Abuja. This study assessed the perceived importance of internal firm factors that support effective construction mechanisation in Abuja, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among construction professionals drawn from 52 active building construction firms, yielding 228 valid questionnaires. Mean score analysis and the Relative Importance Index (RII) were used to rank organisational management, operations and maintenance, and safety management factors. Operations and maintenance practices were ranked most highly, particularly the use of experienced operators with effective site supervision (RII = 0.887) and regular maintenance of mechanised equipment (RII = 0.880). Safety management was similarly rated very highly, led by the availability and mandatory use of personal protective equipment (RII = 0.885) and emergency-response systems (RII = 0.876). Organisational management factors, including investment in equipment acquisition and appropriate procurement strategies, were also rated very important. The narrow spread of the ratings indicates that these dimensions should be treated as complementary internal priorities rather than sharply separated drivers. Accordingly, the study identifies practitioners' perceived priorities for effective mechanisation; it does not estimate direct causal effects on objective project-performance outcomes.