ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY OF MATERIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN USE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES. A CASE OF THREE ORGANIZATIONS AT SOUTH TONGU DISTRICT IN THE VOLTA REGION

ABSTRACT

The importance of management of materials is highlighted by the fact that they account for substantial portions of project cost and time. Thus, the importance of materials management lies in the fact that any significant contribution made by the materials manager in reducing materials cost will go a long way in improving the profitability and the rate of return on investment, such an increase in profitability can be affected by increasing sales. In spite of their weight in construction projects, not enough attention is given to materials control and management. The study sought to assess the processes involved in the management of construction materials on typical construction sites as a means of evaluating the efficiency of otherwise study of its monitory and controlling. To accomplish this aim a mix of questionnaire, extensive study of the literature coupled with observation were undertaken in the three selected firms. The results showed that there was no independent material management department and no material manager in the firms and a general lack of understanding of the standard materials management process. It was also found that the primary objectives of materials management paramount to construction firms were obtaining the lowest possible price for purchased materials; continuity of supply and consistency of quality. A number of obstacles were identified confronting contractors in using a materials management system ranging from: nonrealization of importance of materials management system; absence of understanding construction materials system, shortage of qualified persons in using materials management system. It was recommended by a materials manager. It was also proposed that training programmes should be paramount in the implementation of the materials management system.