The COVID-19 pandemic that recently broke forth revealed the waning state of a considerable number of healthcare facilities, especially in unindustrialized territories. This is of great concern, and it has become pertinent to identify determinants of efficient maintenance management in developing countries. There is an inefficient maintenance management of hospital buildings due to a low level of maintenance documentation, which otherwise would have facilitated the adoption of digital twin (DT) technology. The existing maintenance management frameworks and models have not explored and evaluated maintenance documentation as an all-inclusive construct. Hence, this study was aimed at emphasizing the significance of maintenance documentation for its adoption as one of the main determinants of efficient maintenance management, with a view to attaining the DT maintenance management of hospital buildings in Nigeria. After a theoretical review on existing studies around documentation, the software documentation concept was used to conceptualise this observed gap in maintenance management models for public hospital buildings in developing countries. This critical review, which forms part of an ongoing study, asserts that maintenance documentation is a major construct for efficient maintenance management and a prerequisite for the adoption of DT in the management of healthcare constructed facilities in developing countries.

Purpose Covid-19 pandemic have raised serious health concerns, work disruptions and job loss. Thus, Nigeria’s Covid-19 challenges can hinder project performance in the construction sector. By integrating the principle of sustainable construction, it can minimise the environmental and socio-economic impact of Covid-19. This research therefore aims at developing strategies to achieve sustainable project performance in the post-Covid era in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research method was used. Data was collected from 13 stakeholders in the built environment. Percentages and thematic analysis were used to analyse data from the interviews. Findings The study reveals that stakeholders are encountering operational and financial challenges: Increased price of materials, labour and material shortage and project delays were key operational challenges. The financial challenges were related to increased construction cost, reduced profit and payment delays. To address these challenges, the study developed managerial, contractual and governmental strategies: Market survey and bulk purchase, remote working and adherence to Covid-19 protocols were among the key managerial strategies. For the contractual strategies: contracts reviews, smart contracts, working overtime and night shift were developed, while governmental strategies included provision of funds, loans and incentives for workers. Originality/value The study deduced that while environmental sustainability was employed to address the Covid-19 challenges, the economic and social aspects were found to be under-utilized. Therefore, the study concluded that a holistic application of environmental, economic and social sustainability themes while incorporating managerial, contractual and governmental strategies is significant for achieving sustainable project performance in the post-Covid era in Nigeria.

Purpose: The ever-increasing pollution, poverty and poor economy, caused in part by human activities, have necessitated the need for sustainable development (SD) and sustainable construction (SC). This requires reconsidering sustainable development goals (SDGs) as a complementary approach to achieving a sustainably built environment. This paper aims to explore how stakeholder’s engagement can drive the attainment of SDGs in the Nigerian construction industry (NCI), with a view to advancing a sustainable construction industry (SCI) in Nigeria. The study also examines the inhibitors of attaining SDGs in the light of 10 core SDGs that play a sustainable role in the NCI.Design/methodology/approach: The study adopted a qualitative research approach. Data were collected from 22 stakeholders (practitioners and policy makers) in the NCI through interviews which were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically.Findings: The results deduced that industry-related, government-related and economic, environmental and socio-cultural-related themes inhibit SDGs in the NCI, while SDGs-driven policy implementation, best practices and educating/training themes can be used to attain SDGs in Nigeria. Valuable insights from the findings recommended stakeholders’ engagement in eliminating the influx of quacks, repositioning attitudinal change in governance, streamlining funds for SD, implementing and complying to building regulations, providing professional practice and training stakeholders about the benefits of sustainability in Nigeria.Originality/value: Emerging inhibitors of SDGs are identified, leading to the development of innovative approaches and actions for stakeholders’ engagement, which were missing from previous studies. Stakeholders and the government can use the strategic phases proposed in this paper to advance a SCI in Nigeria.

Purpose: The healthcare sector in developing countries needs a more vigorous technological process to support maintenance activities. The ease of adopting the digital twin (DT) technology will depend on stakeholders’ exposure to the advantages. Therefore, this study aims to determine the key drivers of digital twin maintenance management (DTMM) for healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The post-positivist philosophical perspective adopted in this study informed a mixed-method research approach using a Delphi study and a questionnaire survey. In total, 11 digital technology experts domiciled in building maintenance participated in the Delphi study, and 442 maintenance personnel, top management staff and heads of departments in Nigerian hospitals formulated the respondents for the questionnaire survey. Descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the structural equation modelling technique were used for data analysis. Findings: The experts’ responses indicated that the 17 listed variables had a very high impact on determining the DTMM of healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Consequently, the CFA showed that all parameter estimates for the derived ten indicator variables were statistically significant, and the robust fit indexes all met the cut-off index criteria. The measurement model for the DTMM drivers adequately matched the sample data. The foremost drivers are increased reliability of building components, maintenance cost reduction due to prediction before failures and smart management of site activities. Practical implications: The study enlightens the authorities and management of healthcare organisations on the benefits of DT technology in maintaining their facilities. It provides the motivation and guidance for decision-making, training of stakeholders and the full implementation of DT technology in the management of hospital facilities. Originality/value: The innovativeness and emergence of DT technology, especially within the Nigerian healthcare sector, portend the need to determine the benefits of adopting DT in managing constructed facilities.

Purpose: Digital twin technology offers multiple possibilities for efficient facility maintenance. However, some challenges hinder their usage for managing constructed facilities in the health-care sector. Therefore, this study aims to use the principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate the barriers to digital twin maintenance management of health-care facilities in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The post-positivist philosophical perspective adopted in this study informed a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire survey. Using a purposive sample, 442 respondents were selected from the Nigerian health-care industry. Maintenance personnel, top management staff and heads of departments in Nigerian hospitals formulated the respondents. Descriptive analysis and PCA were used for data analysis. Findings: The analysis revealed that all the identified barriers ranked above the average mean, with Insufficient research, corruption and budget allocation not systematically done, ranking the top three. PCA clustered the variables into technical skill, management and financial barriers. Practical implications: The study recommends conducting adequate research on digital twin usage within developing countries, which will boost the readiness to implement the technology to maintain constructed facilities. Due to its high cost, there is also a need for transparency and efficiency in allocating finances to fund the uptake of digital twin technology. Originality/value: The innovativeness and significance of digital twin technology portend the need to explore the challenges that could hinder its easy adoption in managing constructed facilities.

Operators (owners/facility managers) of high-rise buildings are continuously faced with the challenge of finding innovative means of controlling and managing the facilities of high-rise buildings. This is due to consistent change in the nature and functions of building systems. Meanwhile, the use of computerized systems affords building operators the tools and methods that will enhance facility management activities. This study examined the importance of automation to the facility management of high-rise buildings in developing countries, using the case of Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research approach, administering a structured questionnaire to 53 facility managers of identified commercial high-rise buildings in Ikoyi, Lagos Island, and Victoria Island in Nigeria. It also applied regression analysis in determining the significance of automation on facility management activities. The findings of the study revealed that security services are the most automated facility management activity. Results also showed that automation had a positive effect on facility management practice, with R square of 0.66. The study concluded that although automation is seldom used in carrying out facility management activities, it has a positive impact on facility management services, with 66% significance level on facility management activities. It then recommended that steps should be taken by all stakeholders to develop the practice of facility management and research, as well as facility management education.