What is it about?
Globally, information and communication systems (ICS) are presently impacting every aspect of human activities given its silent roles in business, learning, entertainment, construction, etc. The technologies have been widely accepted by the housing construction industry stakeholders as an impetus for the delivery of adequate housing both in rural and urban neighbourhoods. Though there abound shreds of evidence that ICS play significant roles in the development of all sectors, it remains unidentified how the housing sector in Nigeria is exploiting ICS in its housing delivery processes. This study investigates the roles ICS play in the delivery of adequate housing. It also examined the influence of ICS on adequate housing delivery.
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Why is it important?
Information and communication management systems are described as systems that enable the processing, transmission, storage and display of material information through an electronic process. Information and communication system (ICS) enables individuals and groups to search, acquire and transfer knowledge, expertise and services locally, nationally, regionally and globally; it increases efficiency and productivity; it reduces costs of transaction and restrictions; and it makes businesses move faster and better.
Perspectives
The study explored the influence of ICS for adequate housing project delivery in an ongoing housing project in the study area. Findings from the study showed that HCWs adopt some elements of ICS for both personal and organizational needs. The research revealed that while mobile phones were the most predominant forms of ICS known and commonly used by the HCWs, majority of them were not sufficiently competent in the use of smartphones’ applications such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The study further revealed that most HCWs in Nigeria are primarily concerned with communication gadgets that would allow them to pass and receive information through phone calls and were not much concerned with the other uses of the gadgets and their applications. This is attributed to their low level of educational attainment as higher percentages of the respondents were not sufficiently educated and were not interested in acquiring new communication skills. Also revealed in the study was that ICS have a great influence on the delivery of adequate housing projects in the study area as they facilitate the coordination of activities, help in prompt eradication of conflicts and assist with understanding clients’ expectations, etc. Notwithstanding the numerous influences and benefits accrued with ICS, the study revealed some challenges associated with the use of the systems, which include, but are not limited to, the poor technical knowledge of the systems, low level of education among HCWs, inadequate training on the use of the gadgets and workers’ lack of interest in learning new skills. From the foregoing, it can be concluded that the use of ICS in the delivery of housing projects is not fully embraced by majority of the HCWs.
Professor Wellington Didibhuku Thwala
University of South Africa
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring the influence of information and communication systems for adequate housing project delivery in Nigeria, International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development, March 2022, Intellect,
DOI: 10.1386/tmsd_00052_1.
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