Management of materials has over the years been a great problem to most firms in the construction industry. In construction project operations, there is always a tendency of mismanagement of materials by construction firms. As the size of the contract increases, however, so does the scale of activities concerning materials management. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate into materials management problems faced by construction firms in the Greater Accra Region.
To achieve this aim, the following objectives were set out: To identify the problems in materials management practices by greater Accra firms, to identify the causes of these materials management problems, to identify proper ways of managing materials by construction firms on sites and to suggest ways of solving materials management problems by construction firms.
The research instrument adopted was the use of questionnaires. Fifty-five (55) sets of questionnaires was distributed to various contractors. The sampling technique adopted was the snowball sampling technique. Quantity analysis approach was adopted for the analysis of the data which involved the use of frequency distribution tables and charts. The analysis of the data revealed that high project cost and delay were also some of the effects of improper materials management. Provisions of standard storage facilities, delivery of materials to the site, were some of the factors that most construction firms considered prior to the commencement of works with regards to the storage of materials on site.
Table of Contents
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
1.3 AIM(S) OF THE STUDY
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1.7 OVERVIEW OF METHODOLOGY
1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 MEANING OF MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
2.3 PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS
2.3.1 FUNCTIONS OF PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS
2.3.2 OBJECTIVES OF PROCUREMENT OF MATERIALS
2.3.3 PROCUREMENT CYCLE OF MATERIALS
2.4 TRANSPORTATION (MOVEMENT) OF MATERIALS
2.4.1 HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
2.4.2 VERTICAL MOVEMENT
2.5 MATERIAL HANDLING
2.5.1 SELECTING MATERIALS HANDLING SYSTEM
2.5.2 MANAGEMENT OF MATERIALS HANDLING
2.5.3 METHODS OF MATERIAL HANDLING
2.5.3.1 ADVANTAGES OF MANUAL HANDLING
2.5.3.2 DISADVANTAGES OF MANUAL HANDLING
2.5.3.3 ADVANTAGES OF MECHANICAL HANDLING
2.5.3.4 DISADVANTAGES OF MECHANICAL HANDLING
2.5.4 CAUSES OF DOUBLE HANDLING
2.5.5 SOLUTIONS TO DOUBLE HANDLING
2.6 MATERIAL CONTROL
2.6.1 MATERIAL CONTROLLER
2.6.2 SITE SUPERVISION
2.7 STORAGE ACCOMMODATION
2.7.1 METHODS OF STORAGE
2.7.2 SITE STORAGE PROVISION
2.7.3 AREAS FOR STORAGE ON SITE
2.8 CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDING MATERIALS
2.8.1 LOCATING MATERIALS ON SITE
2.9 CAUSES OF IMPROPER MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
2.10 WASTE
2.10.1 CLASSIFICATION OF WASTE
2.10.2 REDUCTION OF WASTE
2.11 METHODS OF IMPROVING MATERIAL MANAGEMENT ON SITE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 PRELIMINARY SURVEY
3.2.1 OBSERVATION
3.3 DATA COLLECTION ON RESEARCH
3.4 DESIGN OF QUESTIONNAIRES
3.5 TARGETED POPULATION
3.6 DATA ANALYSIS
3.6.1 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.3 DISCUSSING OF RESULTS
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 CONCLUSIONS
5.2.3 OBJECTIVE ONE
5.2.4 OBJECTIVE TWO
5.2.4 OBJECTIVE THREE
5.2.5 OBJECTIVE FOUR
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the problems associated with materials management within construction firms in the Greater Accra Region, identifying causes, consequences, and proposing potential solutions to improve site efficiency.
- Identifying current materials management practices and associated problems in Greater Accra.
- Analyzing the underlying causes of materials management failures on construction sites.
- Evaluating the impact of improper management on project costs, timelines, and worker productivity.
- Proposing effective strategies and management techniques to enhance material control and reduce waste.
Excerpt from the Book
2.8.1 Locating materials on site
The prevailing objective of the location of materials on site is that, they should be as close to the point of use as practically possible. This is because if the materials are brought on site, offloaded and re handled over a relatively long distance, then the time wasted, risk of damage, loss and cost incurred are increased.
It is for this reason that management should be in full control of the location and movement of materials on site. Setting a measure or developing a plan that indicated the manner in which material will be handled on site can create this. This development plan or measure may differ from site depending on limiting factors of time, space, labour, plant and costs. (Chandler 1978),
i. Time
If the contract has to be completed in a relatively short time compared to similar contracts or projects then the cost of handling materials becomes a secondary consideration .this is because to achieve full continuity of work it may be necessary to stock pile materials to cushion the effect or occurrence of irregular delivery. These stockpiles will have to be re handled at a later date if deposited some distance from the point of use. The overall effect in completing the work within the short time justifies the extra expenditure for the double handling.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: Provides an introduction to the research, defining the importance of materials management, outlining the problem statement, and setting out the study's objectives and scope.
CHAPTER TWO: Conducts a comprehensive literature review on concepts such as procurement, transportation, material handling, and storage strategies for construction sites.
CHAPTER THREE: Describes the research methodology, including the use of observation, questionnaires, and quantitative analysis techniques to collect and process data.
CHAPTER FOUR: Presents and analyzes the data obtained from the field, highlighting the current state of materials management in the Greater Accra region.
CHAPTER FIVE: Concludes the study by summarizing the findings against the set objectives and providing recommendations for improving site management practices.
Keywords
Materials Management, Construction Industry, Greater Accra Region, Material Procurement, Site Storage, Material Handling, Waste Control, Project Cost, Site Supervision, Material Theft, Construction Productivity, Supply Chain, Double Handling, Quantitative Analysis, Construction Firms
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research study?
The study investigates the challenges construction firms in the Greater Accra Region face regarding the management, storage, and control of building materials.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers procurement, on-site material handling, storage accommodation, waste management, and site security practices.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to identify problems and causes of improper materials management and to suggest practical solutions to enhance project efficiency.
Which methodology does the researcher utilize?
The study adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing questionnaires distributed to construction firms, supported by personal observations and library research.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body examines the theoretical framework of materials management, including logistics, classification of materials, and strategies to minimize waste and theft on site.
What are the key terms characterizing this research?
Key terms include materials management, construction technology, site supervision, waste reduction, and procurement processes.
Why is "double handling" considered a major problem?
Double handling occurs due to inefficient site organization or storage planning, leading to unnecessary labor costs, time delays, and increased risk of material damage.
What effect does ineffective material management have on a project?
It typically leads to increased project costs, significant work delays, materials wastage, and client dissatisfaction.
Why is the appointment of a material controller recommended?
Appointing a dedicated controller ensures centralized accountability, better site organization, and proactive management of delivery schedules, reducing the chances of theft or mismanagement.
- Citar trabajo
- Fredrick Ahenkora Boamah (Autor), 2014, Problems Associated with Material Management. Practice in the Construction Industry, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/358442
