SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS OF CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR INFLUENCING FACTORS: PROJECT MANAGERS’ PERSPECTIVE IN UYO, NIGERIA

Purpose: The study provided insight into the required supervisory competencies of selected professionals and factors influencing quality of supervision, with a view to enhancing productivity and construction projects delivery in Uyo, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach: Evaluations were carried out on the extent of application of professional supervisory functions, and factors affecting the quality of supervision. Exploratory and deductive cross-sectional survey research design was employed and data obtained from 74 copies of structured mail questionnaire received from project managers. Data were analysed using descriptive, relative importance index, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Findings: It was found that supervisory functions and factors influencing their quality vary significantly among selected professionals. It is concluded that the competencies of project managers and the factors influencing their quality of supervision depend on the primary professional affiliation of a project manager. It was also concluded that if the primary professional affiliation is not considered before assigning supervisory function, projects may suffer up to 40% pitfall in terms of performance.

Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to the eighteen supervisory competencies and twenty two influencing factors selected from literature and the views 74 project managers who returned their questionnaire. The contribution to knowledge is that this study established the vital supervisory competencies and their pitfalls.

Practical implications: It is recommended that developers should adequately assess the competence of a supervisor arising from the primary professional training before assigning supervisory functions. The provisions of the National building Code should be enforced, so that professionals can carry out roles in their area of competence to avoid professional incursion, while ensuring collaboration and eschewing corrupt practices.

Originality/value: The study established the vital supervisory competencies of project managers and the factors affecting quality supervision in Uyo metropolis.