Promoting Multidisciplinary Teamwork In Project Development In Kenya

Abstract

In today’s construction sector, collaboration between multidisciplinary teams is becoming a standard practice worldwide. However, in Kenya, Architectural, Engineering and Interior Design professionals seldom have a chance to collaborate with each other. To gain insight into these issues, the study aimed at examining promotion of multidisciplinary teamwork in project development in Kenya. Key objectives included examining; benchmarks of a successful teamwork; conflicts that exists, if any among Architects, Engineers and Interior Designers, their role in project development and aspects that could promote multidisciplinary teamwork. The findings of this study may contribute to further understanding and be beneficial to the government in reviewing policies to counter the unethical practices. The study geographically focused on Nairobi County as the case study. Descriptive survey design was employed. The study population comprised of professionals including Architects, Engineers and Designers, as well as University lecturers and contractors within Nairobi County. A sample was selected for the study using stratified sampling, purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaire, interview schedules and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Data were analyzed through quantitative and qualitative techniques and results presented using frequency and percentage tables and charts. The study established that market demands are the guide principle that impact on the extent of teamwork among architects, engineers and interior designers. Architects, Engineers and Interior Designers, their engage occasionally, and not many firms had teamwork strategies. It was also established that collaboration among Architects, Engineers and Interior Designers has not improved. The study found out that meeting client needs was the most critical success strategies for many firms. Early team formation starting at tertiary level education and recognizing the role of interior designers is critical. The study concluded that the most prevalent cases of conflicts involve issues related to lack of proper communication, poor leadership and lack of professional ethics. The study recommended the need for the government to implement a more holistic approach to building awareness and more collaborative initiatives within the Architectural, Engineering and Interior Design disciplines to deal with existing and emerging conflicts. The thesis is organized into six chapters. Chapter one outlines the introduction while chapter two describes the literature review. The research methodology is discussed under chapter three, followed by chapter four which presents the results and findings from the field. Analysis and synthesis of results are discussed in chapter five. Finally, chapter six contains the study’s conclusion, recommendation and areas for further research.