Journal Articles
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Item EFFICIENT UTILISATION OF AUTOMATION IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALSHANDLING PROCESSES(Acta Structilia 2022, 2022-12) Alumbugu, Polycarp Olaku Winston Shakantu Abel Tsado & Wasiu Ola-awoThere is a limited understanding of automation in construction materials-handling processes utilised by manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This article evaluates the level of utilisation of automation in construction materials-handling operations by manufacturing firms in North-Central Nigeria, to improve operational efficiency and reduce operating costs. Using a case study research design, quantitative data (observation guide with measurements) were collected from 32 purposively selected constructionmaterial manufacturers. A total of 72 customers’ orders were observed and recorded to be representative of deliveries from the sampled (n=32) manufacturers’ warehouses to other terminals. The descriptive method of data analysis was employed using percentages and results presented in a form of bar charts. The study reveals low-level utilisation of automation in the combined processes of order picking, storage, loading, and offloading of material. These imply increasing material costs and causing a delay in delivery. The article concludes by providing construction-material manufacturers with areas that require automation to optimise material-handling operations. A recommendation is made for further study to explore why automation is not utilised despite its advantage.Item ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY FOR THE DELIVERY OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA(Acta Structilia 2020:, 2020) Alumbugu polycarp olaku, Winston Shakantu & Abel TsadoIn Nigeria, knowledge on the management of construction material logistics system, especially in transportation, is inadequate. This article assesses construction material manufacturers’ transportation efficiency for the delivery of construction material, in order to improve manufacturers’ transport operation in North-Central Nigeria. A total of 32 construction material manufacturers delivered their material to 42 distribution centres/warehouses and retailer stores, and 30 construction sites were purposely selected. The selected construction materials manufacturers produce six types of materials, namely cement, reinforcement bars (steel), ceramic tiles, crushed stones, masonry hollow sandcrete blocks, and sand (fine and coarse). A case study research design method was used, in which quantitative data were collected and analysed. An observation (quantitative) guide was used as the research instrument. The quantitative data collected were analysed, using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies and percentiles. The results revealed that transportation efficiency levels are low in their vehicles’ dwell time, loading and off-loading vehicles at the warehouses, retailer stores, and construction In Nigeria, knowledge on the management of construction material logistics system, especially in transportation, is inadequate. This article assesses construction material manufacturers’ transportation efficiency for the delivery of construction material, in order to improve manufacturers’ transport operation in North-Central Nigeria. A total of 32 construction material manufacturers delivered their material to 42 distribution centres/warehouses and retailer stores, and 30 construction sites were purposely selected. The selected construction materials manufacturers produce six types of materials, namely cement, reinforcement bars (steel), ceramic tiles, crushed stones, masonry hollow sandcrete blocks, and sand (fine and coarse). A case study research design method was used, in which quantitative data were collected and analysed. An observation (quantitative) guide was used as the research instrument. The quantitative data collected were analysed, using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies and percentiles. The results revealed that transportation efficiency levels are low in their vehicles’ dwell time, loading and off-loading vehicles at the warehouses, retailer stores, and construction sites. It was also revealed that no technology was used in the transport system to integrate the manufacturers’ warehouses with the other logistics partners in the supply chain. The article concludes that manufacturers should address transportation operations along the delivery nodes to help ensure that the construction material arrives at its final destination at optimal quality, time and cost.Item ANALYSIS OF TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY IN TOMATOES PRODUCTION IN ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE(2013) Ogaji, A., Odine, A. I., Adebayo, C. O., & Adewara, I. T.The study analyzed technical efficiency and its determinants in tomatoes production in Zaria, Kaduna state. The study was based on primary data collected from 120 tomato farmers by the use of multistage sampling techniques. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and the use of stochastic production frontier. The results indicate that most (70%) of the farmers were men between the ages of 31 and 50. It also showed that increase in farm size, fertilizer and seeds will lead to a considerable increase in tomato production. Furthermore, the mean technical efficiency was 0.6 and this was influenced by age, farm experience, contact with extension agents and access to credit. The study concludes that farmers can further increase their output and therefore recommends that credits should be made available to farmers and also extension agents should be encouraged to visit the farmers more often as this translates into increased efficiency.Item Marketing of agrochemicals in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria(International Journal of Marketing and Technology, 2013) Ogaji, A., Odine, A. I., Adeniji, O. B., & Ibrahim, F. D.The study examined the marketing of agrochemicals in Benue state. Primary data was collected from 60 respondents through the use of systematic sampling technique with the aid of questionnaires/and interview schedules. Data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and marketing margin analysis. The result indicated that the agrochemical market is dominated by males (78.3%) and they were all involved in the sales of herbicides among others. The marketing margin for herbicide, pesticide and insecticide per litre was 55.91, 40 and 39.79 respectively. The result also revealed that the marketers were inefficient as the marketing efficiency of the herbicide, pesticide and insecticide was 35%, 29% and 24% respectively. The study therefore concludes that agrochemical marketers in the study area are inefficient and thus recommends that agrochemical marketers should put in more effort since there is still room to increase their efficiency.