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Organisations are required to possess certain capabilities in order to implement Building Information Modelling (BIM), one of the emerging technologies for overcoming the problem of fragmentation in the construction industry. This study examines the organisational capability attributes required for the implementation of BIM in construction projects, with a view to enhancing the performance of public sector projects. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis based on primary data obtained from public sector organisations in Lagos State, Southwestern Nigeria. One hundred and ninety-eight (198) valid questionnaires, obtained from construction professionals within the organisations, provided quantitative data for the assessment. Data collected were analysed, using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicate that public sector organisations possess the capability attributes for BIM implementation in building projects at different levels of availability (LAv) and adequacy (LAq), with adequate power supply rated at (LAv = 76.00%; LAq = 75.80%); speedy internet connection (LAv = 70.20%; LAq = 69.80%); change from traditional workflow (LAv = 69.80%; LAq = 64.60%); adequate work environment for workers (LAv = 69.60%; LAq = 64.40%); standardised process (LAv = 66.00%; LAq = 63.40%); sufficient number of workers (LAv = 65.60%) and data-sharing skills (LAv = 65.00%); standardised process (LAq = 63.40%), and collaborative team culture (LAq = 63.00%). The study established that the organisational capability attributes with high availability rating also have high adequacy rating. The research concludes that the general organisational capability attributes of the public sector for BIM on construction projects are not yet sufficiently developed and thus suggests the need to strengthen specific capability attributes that are required to implement BIM.

PurposeThis study examined factors influencing the organisational capabilities of the public sector for building information modelling (BIM) implementation in construction projects with a view to enhancing the performance of public sector projects.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis that was based on primary data. In total, 198 valid questionnaires obtained from construction professionals within the public sector provided primary quantitative data for the assessment. The respondents provided the responses on the factors which were identified through an in-depth synthesis of literature relating to organisational capabilities of the public sector. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsThe findings established that the potential of the public sector to deploy BIM in construction projects is greatly influenced by varying degree of organisational capability attributes with bureaucratic culture (mean score, MS = 3.37), structural complexity (MS = 3.17), lack of skilled and trained staff (MS = 3.12), personnel stability (MS = 3.11), staff cooperation (MS = 3.09) and political constraint (MS = 3.07) ranked highest. Through factor analysis, these and other highly influential factors were grouped into eight components, namely management-related, policy-related, technical-related, attitude-related, work structure-related, work ethic-related, decision-related and feedback-related factors. This grouping reflects the various components of organisational capability attributes which the public sector needs to efficiently develop to benefit from project management paradigm introduced by BIM.Practical implicationsThis study provided information for improving specific capability attributes with respect to human and technical resources as well as other soft infrastructure to support BIM implementation on building projects by the public sector client. The study also serves as a guide for understanding BIM implementation by the public sector in similar socio-political and economic contexts.Originality/valueThis assessment indicates various degrees by which the organisational attributes of public sector have influenced the attributes' capability to implement BIM on construction projects. Thus, findings provide information on areas of improvement for better implementation of BIM by the public sector in project delivery.

This study examines the capability improvement measures of the public sector client for enhancing the implementation of building information modeling (BIM) in construction project delivery. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive analysis based on primary data obtained through a structured questionnaire. A total of 198 valid questionnaires obtained from construction professionals within public sector organizations in Lagos State, Nigeria, provided primary quantitative data for the assessment. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated the measures to enhance the capacity of the public sector for BIM implementation including the following: team-based structure and recruitment of adequate number of staff (with mean score [MS] = 3.66), government support and involvement (MS = 3.64), government policies, adoption of process open to innovation, and investment in equipment and technology (MS = 3.60) had been considerably entrenched. However, measures that resulted in improved efficiency were limited to the following: reward system for performance (MS = 3.81), government policies, and education and training of staff (MS = 3.74), government support and involvement (MS = 3.73), and clear job description (MS = 3.71). Most of the measures with high level of impact were not necessarily those that are frequently used. On this basis, the public sector needs to differ from the status quo by adopting improvement measures that are appropriate for enhancing its capabilities for BIM in project delivery. The findings indicate implications that could enable the public sector to adjust and make necessary policies in a bid to improve BIM implementation in project delivery.

Maize (Zea mays L. var. Everta) is an economically significant crop cultivated worldwide. Unfortunately, microbial diseases, especially, mycopathogens such as Fusarium species, militate against the production of maize. Protective microbial species and bioactive plant extracts have been studied in the control of plant pathogens. However, there is a dearth of information on their comparative efficacy and effect on wilt disease of maize caused by Fusarium solani, as investigated in this study. Using the ITS and 16s rDNA primers for fungal pathogen and bacterial strains, respectively, the mycopathogen was confirmed as Fusarium solani FCI20, while biocontrol Bacillus strains were identified as Bacillus velezensis EBs02 and Bacillus thuringiensis EBs04. Fusarium solani FCI20 successfully infected maize seedlings through rhizosphere inoculation, and caused severe leaf chlorosis, necrosis and wilt in maize seedlings. Bacillus thuringiensis EBs04 expressed the highest in vitro mycelial inhibition (85.20%), followed by Gmelina arborea (78.58%), while Milicia excelsa appeared to express the lowest mycelial inhibition potential (49.95%). Bacillus velezensis EBs02 expressed the highest in vivo disease severity reduction in maize seedlings (with percentage disease control of 84.16), while B. thuringiensis-treated plants had the lowest incidence of wilt disease (4.32%). However, contrary to their in vitro mycelial inhibition potential, B. velezensis EBs02, Gmelina arborea, Milicia excelsa and Cola nitida expressed radically different levels of in vivo wilt disease control in maize seedlings. Consequent upon the biocontrol patterns observed in this study, in vivo assay should be considered in the preliminary selection of promising biocontrol agents against phytopathogens, such as Fusarium species.