IMPACT OF CULTURE ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DELIVERY IN AKWA IBOM STATE

Purpose: The aim of this study is to understand the impact of culture on construction project delivery (including factors such as project timelines, budget, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction) in Akwa Ibom state in order to improve project success. The study determined the extent of impact of cultural barriers and explored the strategies used to overcome cultural barriers in construction projects in the study area.

Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted an exploratory (qualitative) research design, using a well-structured questionnaire to elicit the perceptions of stakeholders on the subject matter of the study. Mean Score Index and Kruskal-Wallis H test of difference were the statistical tools adopted.

Findings: The study found that the most common cultural barriers in the study area were a lack of trust, understanding, communication, and language challenges. These factors hindered effective interaction and collaboration, leading to misunderstandings, reduced engagement, and decreased productivity in diverse settings. Additionally, project scheduling and productivity were found to be more directly impacted by cultural barriers compared to safety concerns and conflict resolution.

Research limitations/Implications: The limitations included limited availability of participants or projects, difficulty in assessing comprehensive data on past projects, limited time for data collection and analysis, the scope of the study focuses solely on Akwa Ibom State thereby restricting broader cultural influences from neighbouring states. The findings of this study contribute to the body of knowledge on the intersection of culture and construction project delivery, offering practical recommendations for stakeholders in the construction industry in Akwa Ibom State and beyond.

Practical implications: The study recommends that the construction industry should pay more attention to the management of cultural differences through cultural sensitivity training, local collaboration and conflict resolution mechanisms.

Originality/value: This study identified the common cultural barriers in construction projects in the study area, the impacts of identified cultural barriers and the strategies used to overcome such barriers in construction projects.