Examination of survival strategies of quantity surveying firms amid COVID-19 pandemic disruption in Lagos State, Nigeria
African Journal of Economic and Management Studies
ISSN: 2040-0705
Article publication date: 31 October 2022
Issue publication date: 14 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Disruption caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to the ways and manners businesses are conducted worldwide is phenomenon. The study therefore examined the survival strategies adopted by quantity surveying firms (QSFs) in Lagos State, Nigeria, with the intention of improving their performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a systematic sampling method to select three QSFs from 20 local government areas in the state. Of the 60 QSFs contacted for interview, only 42 agreed to participate. A questionnaire was designed to collect the required qualitative information, which was then analyzed using content analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that the main survival strategies adopted by QSFs in Lagos State, Nigeria, during the COVID-19 disruptions were downsizing, contract staffing, salary cuts, work from home and service negotiation strategies.
Research limitations/implications
Due to the chosen research approach, the research results may not be generalizable. The incidence of the pandemic and the socio-economic situation of the study area have to be considered.
Practical implications
The survival strategies employed by QSFs in Lagos Nigeria in the middle of COVID-19 are palliative (unsustainable) as the impact of the disruptions is biting hard on QSFs in Lagos Nigeria as such a more robust and sustainable method to enhance the performance of QSFs in the study area.
Originality/value
This study attempted to unearth the survival strategies of QSFs amidst COVID-19 in Lagos State, Nigeria, with the aim of improving the performance of such firms.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Organizational and Management Practices in COVID-19 Business Environments in Africa”, guest edited by Mohammed-Aminu Sanda.
The authors would like to appreciate all the quantity surveying firms who volunteered to provide the information for the study. The authors would also like to thank the reviewers for their comments and suggestions.
Citation
Olatunde, N.A., Gento Municio, A.M. and Awodele, I.A. (2023), "Examination of survival strategies of quantity surveying firms amid COVID-19 pandemic disruption in Lagos State, Nigeria", African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 339-354. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-05-2022-0215
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited