Employability skills of real estate graduates in Nigeria: a skill gap analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-323
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Timothy Tunde Oladokun ◽  
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business Negotiation ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Real Estate Sector

Purpose The global shift in the traditional skills required of real estate graduates has led to an increased demand for employees who have the required skills and competencies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate employment considerations of real estate firms and analyse employers’ skill expectations and the observed skills possessed by the graduate employees. This study also analysed the self-assessed soft skill levels of the graduate employees, thereby establishing the skill gap. Design/methodology/approach Data were sought from real estate employers in the two dominant real estate markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja, and real estate graduate employees who have had a minimum of six months working experience in real estate firms. Data collected were analysed using statistical techniques such as frequency, percentages, mean, correlation, multivariate analysis of variance, paired-samples t-test and independent samples t-test. Findings The findings of this study revealed that employers’ soft skills expectations were high with skills such as responsibility, administrative, listening, communication, business negotiation and work ethics. Based on employers' observed skills, there were significant skill gaps with respect to soft skills such as responsibility, business negotiation, logical thinking, marketing and dispute resolution. An analysis of the core skills reveals employers' preference for technical competencies in valuation, agency, property management, marketing, report writing and landlord and tenant laws. However, graduate employees possessed significant skill gaps with regards to technical skills such as valuation, property investment analysis, feasibility and viability appraisal, market research methods and facility management. Practical implications An understanding of the skill gaps will provide useful feedback to professional bodies, regulatory boards, institutions of higher learning, faculty members and other stakeholders regarding deficient skill areas, especially for curriculum review, development and training in the real estate sector. Originality/value There is a paucity of information about employers' skill preferences and the skill gaps in the real estate sector.

Factors influencing real estate graduates soft skill gap in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Oluwafemi Ayodele ◽  
Oluseyi Joshua Adegoke ◽  
Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu ◽  
Olaitan Olaoye
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Business Negotiation ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Skill Gaps ◽  
Major Property

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the soft skill gap of graduate employees, as well as the factors influencing the skill gaps of real estate graduates in the employment of real estate firms in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were employed for the study. Close-ended questionnaire served on real estate employers in the two major property markets of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja. From a total of 343 questionnaires administered, 172 (59.7%) questionnaires were retrieved. While data from the graduate employees were obtained via a web-based survey sent out to a total of 558 graduates, 119 (21.33%) responses were received. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed in the data analysis.FindingsThe findings showed that employers had high expectations for soft skillsets relating to responsibility, administrative, listening and communication skills. These have respective mean scores of 6.38, 6.33, 6.31 and 6.31 on a seven point scale. However, the results revealed significant skill gaps with skills such as logical thinking, business negotiation, responsibility and marketing. Further, the analysis revealed that factors influencing the skill gap, in decreasing order of influence, are training/professional mentors/remuneration, personal preferences/industry characteristics and curriculum/faculties.Practical implicationsReal estate graduate soft skills are investigated to uncover areas of emphasis and skill gaps. These outcomes could serve as important feedbacks for stakeholders towards improving real estate teaching and curriculum. The findings could also assist real estate graduates to know employers areas of emphasis in relation to graduate employability skills.Originality/valueExtant studies have reiterated and evaluated the soft skills gaps based on the perceptions of employers, faculties and institutions of higher learning. However, there is the need to investigate the perception of graduate employees, being the recipient and major stakeholders in the training process.

Information security in the South Australian real estate industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa Mani ◽  
Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo ◽  
Sameera Mubarak
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Information Security ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector

Purpose – Opportunities for malicious cyber activities have expanded with the globalisation and advancements in information and communication technology. Such activities will increasingly affect the security of businesses with online presence and/or connected to the internet. Although the real estate sector is a potential attack vector for and target of malicious cyber activities, it is an understudied industry. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of the information security threats, awareness, and risk management standards currently employed by the real estate sector in South Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The current study comprises both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, which include 20 survey questionnaires and 20 face-to-face interviews conducted in South Australia. Findings – There is a lack of understanding about the true magnitude of malicious cyber activities and its impact on the real estate sector, as illustrated in the findings of 40 real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings and the escalating complexities of the online environment underscore the need for regular ongoing training programs for basic online security (including new cybercrime trends) and the promotion of a culture of information security (e.g. when using smart mobile devices to store and access sensitive data) among staff. Such initiatives will enable staff employed in the (South Australian) real estate sector to maintain the current knowledge of the latest cybercrime activities and the best cyber security protection measures available. Originality/value – This is the first academic study focusing on the real estate organisations in South Australia. The findings will contribute to the evidence on the information security threats faced by the sector as well as in develop sector-specific information security risk management guidelines.

Vertical integration in the real estate sector: three Swedish case studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Lind
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Vertical Integration ◽  
Bargaining Power ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explain why some real estate companies choose to have a vertically integrated structure, instead of specializing in only stage of the production chain. Design/methodology/approach The first stage of the research was an extensive literature review to generate hypotheses. A case study method was then chosen, as more detailed knowledge about the companies were judged to be needed to evaluate the different hypothesis. Documents about the companies were studied and interviews carried out. Findings In the studies cases, there is no support for theories related to vertical integration as a way to monopolize a market and only marginal support for theories that focus on contracting problems related to the so called hold up problem. The most important factors for the companies were that vertical integration gives information and more options that are important in small number bargaining situations. The companies bargaining power increases when they are better informed about, e.g. costs and profits in nearby activities, and when they can use in-house units, if there are problems to find reasonable conditions on the outside market. Research limitations/implications The main limitation is that only three cases were studied. Practical/implications The study can be helpful both to companies that choose to integrate vertically and those that chose not to. There are similar problems related to information and bargaining power that needs to be handled. Originality/value This is the first study that test theories about vertical integration in the real estate sector.

Real estate money laundering in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Maximilian Johannes Teichmann
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Compliance Officers ◽  
German Speaking

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how criminals launder money in the real estate business in Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative content analysis of 58 semi-standardized expert interviews with both criminals and prevention experts and a quantitative survey of 184 compliance officers led to the identification of concrete techniques of money laundering in the real estate sector. Findings Real estate companies in German-speaking countries in Europe continue to be extraordinarily suitable for money laundering. In particular, they can be used for placement, layering and integration, combined with violations of the tax code. Most importantly, however, they are the vehicles for one of the very few profitable methods of laundering money. Research limitations/implications As the qualitative findings are based on semi-standardized interviews, these are limited to the 58 interviewees’ perspectives. Practical implications The identification of gaps in existing anti-money laundering mechanisms is meant to provide compliance officers, law enforcement agencies and legislators with valuable insights into how criminals operate. Originality/value While the existing literature focuses on organizations fighting money laundering and on the improvement of anti-money laundering measures, this paper describes how money launderers operate to avoid getting caught. Both prevention and criminal perspectives are taken into account.

scholarly journals Impacts of digitization on real estate sector jobs

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Piazolo ◽  
Utku Cem Dogan
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Real Estate Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Employment Agency ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Substitution Probability

PurposePrevious research on automation and job disruption is only marginally related to the real estate industry and its characteristics. This study investigates the effects of digitization on jobs in German real estate sector, in order to assess the proportion of jobs threatened to be replaced by automation. Since Germany is the largest EU economy insights for the German real estate market allow a first approximation for Europe.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive database of the German Federal Employment Agency containing job definitions and occupation titles is matched with real estate criteria to create a subset with the relevant real estate occupations. This data is combined with a database of the German Institute of Employment Research reflecting to what extent tasks within jobs can be automated by current technical capabilities.FindingsFor the 286 identified occupations within the real estate sector a weighted average of 47 percent substitution probability through current technological capabilities is derived for tasks within the examined occupations.Practical implicationsThis contribution indicates the extent of the structural change the real estate sector has to face due to digitization: One out of two real estate jobs will have to be re-created.Originality/valueThis research quantifies the magnitude of the job killer aspect of digitization in the real estate sector.

scholarly journals Crowdfunding REITs: a new asset class for the real estate industry?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Gibilaro ◽  
Gianluca Mattarocci
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Individual Investors ◽  
Diversification Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Real Estate Investments ◽  
Asset Class

PurposeThe paper aims to study the performance of crowdfunding REITs with respect to traditional REITs in order to evaluate the differences in the risk–return profile and their usefulness for a diversification strategy within the indirect real estate investments.Design/methodology/approachThe paper considers the crowdfunding REITs introduced after the JOBS act in the United States and evaluates their performance and risk during the time period 2016–2018. Performance achieved by crowdfunding REITs is compared with other types of REITs in order to evaluate their usefulness for constructing an optimal portfolio strategy based on a standard mean variance approach.FindingsResults show that the performance of crowdfunding REITs is more stable over time with respect to other REITs and the lack of correlation with traditional REITs may be exploited for constructing a more efficient diversified portfolio of indirect real estate investments.Practical implicationsCrowdfunding REITs have different performance with respect to standard REITs and, especially individual investors, may benefit from including this new investment opportunity in their portfolio.Originality/valueThe paper is the first study on the performance of the crowdfunding REITs that is evaluating their usefulness for a diversification strategy within the real estate sector.

The state of value creation in the real-estate sector – lessons from lean thinking

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuuli Jylhä ◽  
Seppo Junnila
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Lean Thinking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector

Purpose – Although great emphasis has been given to the added value of real estate, the current studies miss the phase when the actual value is created, i.e., the production phase of real-estate services. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current state of value creation of the commercial real-estate services from a lean thinking perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Value creation is studied in four Finnish cases through 122 interviews and eight workshops. Findings – Cross-case analysis identified six sources of waste resulting as poor value creation: sub-process optimisation instead of optimising the entire process, the price minimisation instead of cost minimisation, difficulties responding to customer value, overloaded employees, inability to make improvements, and poorly managed information. Research limitations/implications – Although the findings are grounded on a solid data collection and analysis, the case study nature of the research and the Finnish case study settings create limitations for the generalisation of the findings. Practical implications – Service providers and other process owners can use the findings to improve their value creation and increase the productivity of their service processes. Originality/value – This is one of the first research studies that utilise lean thinking in commercial service processes in the real-estate sector and thus provides new insight into how to increase productivity through waste minimisation.

scholarly journals Information for decision-making in in-house and outsourced real estate management organisations

Facilities ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 891-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Palm
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Decision Maker ◽  
Commercial Real Estate ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Estate Management ◽  
Real Estate Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the real estate owner (decision maker) insures being able to make informed decisions and how they differ according to organisational form. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an interview study of nineteen firm representatives, six decision makers and thirteen management representatives, all from Swedish commercial real estate sector. Findings The study concludes that, regardless of organisational setting, the industry has a plan regarding handling information. The decision makers have all secured themselves access to the required/desired information. How this is done and what kind of information it is however differ, if the real estate management is in-house or outsourced. Furthermore, a clear focus on financial and contractual information is evident in both organisational settings. Research limitations/implications The research in this paper is limited to Swedish commercial real estate sector. Practical implications The insight the paper provides regarding required information can shed light on how information systems are built and how to improve your information sharing. Originality/value It provides an insight regarding how the industry, depending on organisation setting, prioritises different information and how the decision maker secures access to it.

Evergrande turmoil to worry, not wreck, global markets

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Housing Market ◽  
Equity Market ◽  
Global Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Financial Conditions ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Global Demand

Significance Evergrande's troubles have increased concern about China's all-important housing market, as Beijing seems intent on reducing excessive leverage in the real-estate sector. Global markets are already unsettled by the threat to the global recovery posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19 and the possibility of inflation prompting faster-than-expected monetary tightening. Impacts Contagion beyond Chinese housing should be very limited: illustrating this, China’s equity market has remained resilient. Slower growth in China will reduce global demand for exports and add to the concerns about manufacturing and services activity slowing. Global financial conditions are likely to remain extremely accommodative, supporting stocks amid mounting concerns about lofty valuations.

Investigating the causes of increasing consumer demand for real estate housing in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazed Parvez ◽  
Sohel Rana
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Sample Size Determination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Increasing Demand

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find out the causes of increasing population in the real estate area. The demographic in information of the respondents and the level of satisfaction was also carried out for this study. Design/methodology/approach The authors use both primary and secondary data. Total 329 respondents were surveyed at the real estate area after completing sample size determination. Secondary data was collected from journals, real estate offices and papers. After that, using regression and correlation analysis, the data was analyzed and finalized. Findings This study identified migration as the most critical variable. The study determined ten hypotheses and only accepted two. By that, this study finds out the causes of the increasing demand of plots and flats in real estate. Originality/value This study will work as a baseline study for the real estate sector in Bangladesh. Most of the research on Bangladesh’s real estate is done mainly on real estate market assessment and consumer satisfaction. Nevertheless, this study will find out the causes of the increasing population in real estate.

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