Facilities management: factors influencing the role of Nigerian estate surveyors

Purpose - The paper examined the factors influencing the role of estate surveyors in facilities management (FM). Design/methodology/approach - The study administered questionnaires on 247 practicing estate surveyors within Lagos metropolis, Nigeria in 2006. These were selected through alphabetic systematic sampling of estate surveyors from the list of financial members with designations (2004/2005) of the Lagos state branch of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers. The survey achieved a total response rate of 85 percent. Statistical tools employed in analyzing data were relative importance indices and factor analysis. Findings - The findings suggest that training in FM and type of business of the organisation managed by the estate surveyor were significant factors that influence surveyors' participation in areas of core competence in FM. Research limitations/implications - Owing to time constraints, authors have only studied one location. No urban area can be representative of all cities in the country. Nevertheless, the results of the study should at least apply to the majority because most of the estate surveyors in Nigeria are based in Lagos. Originality/value - The paper introduces an empirical approach to the discussion on role of estate surveyors in FM in Nigeria.