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Purpose – Digital divide is lack of access to and effective use of information and communication technology (ICT). It represents the difference between people with access to ICT and who use it effectively and those who do not. The aim of this study is to determine the level of digital divides amongst estate surveyors and valuers (recognized real estate practitioners in Nigeria). This is with a view to turning the identified digital divides into digital dividends for sustainable real estate practice in Nigeria and elsewhere. Design/methodology/approach – In attaining the aim, primary data were collected on 3,627 corporate members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) with questionnaires administered through the internet using SurveyMonkey, an internet-based software complemented with bulk sms to alert them about posting of the questionnaires into their e-mail addresses. The Culbertson's constructs for evaluating digital awareness in the USA were adapted for inclusion in the survey instrument. The finding on the estate surveyors and valuers was also compared with those on comparable professionals in the building industry to determine if the respondents are lagging behind in adopting ICT. Findings – Based on the Culbertson's constructs, there is great digital divide between practising estate surveyors and valuers and their counterparts in advanced countries. The analysis indicated that 33.75 percent of the respondents were not committed to ICT, 26.25 percent were slightly committed, and at least 38.75 percent were somewhat committed; and the respondents were classified as "low-tech high-touch" professionals; and their level of ICT deployment found to be appropriate within the framework of the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics. This implies that digital divide is not a challenge to real estate practice in Nigeria. Research limitations/implications – The study serves as good starting block for further analysis of the setting, challenges, and practice of real estate profession in Nigeria and elsewhere with regards to ICT applications. The research posited the implication for the NIESV to organize mandatory continued professional development workshops on ICT to remain relevant in the fast moving digital society. The IT requirements, current skill base, and curricula in the higher institutions were however not examined. It is therefore necessary to carry out further research on students and faculty in the higher institutions to identify the gaps in skill and technological capabilities. Originality/value – The findings help in specifying development activities that will enhance improvements in professional standards, build local capacity and improve transparency expected by international investors. Also, the findings provide professional bodies and policy-makers with indications to improve and ensure sustainable real estate professional practice through continuous and life-long training of members in ICT. It recommended capacity building, reviving of interests of practitioners, direct investment of software companies, and research as approaches to reducing the level of digital divide between practitioners in advanced countries and Nigeria in order to remain relevant in the technologically-driven and competitive world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The main objective of investment in real estate is to derive adequate returns from its management; selection of suitable tenants is one of the challenges to attaining this in Nigeria. Many prospective tenants of residential properties usually appear good at the recruitment stage but often become belligerent with grave challenge to the property managers. The paper aims to examine the criteria set by property managers in selecting residential tenants in Nigeria with a view to establishing a proper process for identification of potentially bad tenants at the recruitment stage. Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for an exploratory study with questionnaires administered to estate surveyors (professional property managers in Nigeria). Respondents were randomly selected based on Bartlett et al.'s model with margin of error set at 0.05, p=0.5, and t-value=1.96. Relative importance index analysis of the data was carried out to determine the ranking of the criteria. Findings – The paper provides insight into tenant selection through proper process using a weighted scorecard. It suggests that an application of a scorecard will reduce the incidence of bad tenancy and enable investors to derive value from investment in real estate. Research limitations/implications – The framework of tenant selection process adopted was based on criteria set by the respondents; researchers are therefore encouraged to test the applicability of the suggested weighted scorecard. Practical implications – There are implications for development of computer software using the weighted scorecard to further ease the process of tenant selection and make it an inter-disciplinary study. Originality/value – This paper identified the need for proper tenant selection to enable investors in residential property to harness adequate and remunerative return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper seeks to identify the factors that are responsible for the incursion of non-professionals, otherwise called quacks, into property management practice in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - Primary data were collected with the aid of questionnaires served on 270 estate surveying firms based in the study area. The proportion method was used to determine the factors that are significantly responsible for the daily incursion of non-professionals whose activities have negatively affected real estate investment in the country. Findings - The result shows that the high income derivable from property management practice is a major factor. Other factors in their perceived order of importance include provision of unsatisfactory and less than standard service by estate surveyors, lack of confidence by clients on the estate surveyor to evict erring tenants and shortage of qualified personnel. Research limitations/implications - Obtaining the perception of practitioners could subject the findings of the study to bias. Further research targeted at the clients of property management services will provide a balanced view. Originality/value - The findings from this study will provide professional bodies and policy makers with data to curb the activities of quacks and enhance the practice of real estate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - In recent years, studies have established that valuation estimates are likely to be biased estimates of market values due to client influence. These studies, which have made a significant contribution to real estate literature, were based mainly on UK, USA and New Zealand experience. The purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of client influence and the impact on valuation in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire survey was administered to estate surveyors and valuers to gauge their professional opinion with regard to client influence, sources of such influence and types of threats used by clients. A behavioural experiment, incorporating two non-valuation factors, was also included for the respondents to role-play the decision of an estate surveyor and valuer subject to an ethical dilemma. Findings - The survey revealed that nearly 80 per cent of estate surveyors and valuers claimed some knowledge of client influence, mostly from a private individual. The results of the logistic regression model also indicated that the decisions of estate surveyors and valuers as to whether to alter valuation outcome upon clients' request are not affected by either of the two non-valuation factors (client size and value adjustment). Research limitations/implications - It is recognised that the findings from the behavioural experiments (role play) utilised in the survey, may or may not be a true reflection of the real world responses of estate surveyors and valuers. Originality/value - The paper contributes significantly to the empirical literature on behavioural real estate research. In particular, the findings from the study could serve as a framework for improving Estate Surveyors and Valuers Guidance Notes of 1985 to ensure transparency in the valuation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]