Evaluating Material Management Practices within Construction Projects Undertaken by the Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS)

In the realm of developing economies, the construction industry holds paramount importance, acting as a vital cog in the wheel of economic growth and infrastructure development (Jose, 2013) [27]. Notably, the construction sector significantly contributes to national development by enhancing essential infrastructure and providing employment opportunities. The general objective of the study is to analyze and evaluate the material management practices within construction projects undertaken by the Zambia National Building Society (NBS).Specific Objectives were; To identify the specific material management practices employed by the Zambia National Building Society (NBS) in the construction of housing projects; To determine the factors unique to the Zambia National Building Society (NBS) context that influence the selection of material management strategies in construction projects.; To assess the effectiveness of material management strategies utilized by the Zambia National Building Society (NBS) in construction projects; To analyze the specific challenges encountered by the Zambia National Building Society (NBS) in implementing material management strategies within construction projects. The research design selected for this study is a case study, which has been widely recognized for its suitability in investigating complex phenomena within real-life contexts. The sample size for this study will be determined based on the principles of saturation in qualitative research. The sampling procedure involved identifying 100 participants through professional networks, industry associations, and recommendations from key informants. The research instruments for this study included semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The data collection procedure involved several steps to ensure comprehensive gathering of information relevant to the research objectives. The data analysis will involved a combination of thematic content analysis for qualitative data and statistical graphical presentation for quantitative data. The mean rating for effective procurement planning (4.3) is significantly higher than the ineffective rating (2.8), with a T-value of 5.12 and a p-value of < 0.001, indicating high effectiveness. The mean rating for effective inventory management (4.0) is significantly higher than the ineffective rating (2.9), with a T-value of 4.75 and a p-value of < 0.001, showing its effectiveness in reducing material wastage. The mean rating for effective vendor management (4.2) is significantly higher than the ineffective rating (3.0), with a T-value of 4.89 and a p-value of < 0.001, highlighting the importance of reliable vendor relationships. The mean rating for effective material handling and storage (4.1) is significantly higher than the ineffective rating (2.7), with a T-value of 5.03 and a p-value of < 0.001, indicating effective material protection practices. The mean rating for effective waste management (3.9) is significantly higher than the ineffective rating (2.6), with a T-value of 4.55 and a p-value of < 0.001, showing its success in minimizing waste. The analysis identifies several key material management practices employed by the Zambia National Building Society in their housing projects. These practices include procurement planning, inventory management, vendor management, material handling and storage, and waste management. The independent T-test analysis confirms that these practices are significantly effective, contributing positively to the successful execution of construction projects. The findings underscore the importance of these practices in enhancing material management efficiency and project outcomes. From the findings most of the companies lack adequate planning of the material with only a small percentage adopting an integrated management plan. A systematic and integrated approach is therefore needed to manage materials and minimize the costs associated with poor materials management.