Volume 7, Issue 7, July – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of Shopping Malls

In Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
SALAMI Adetunji Rasheed1, Ifeoluwa AKANDE2 and Teminijesu Isreal OKE3
College of Environmental Sciences, Department of Architecture, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State

Abstract:- Shopping center construction projects are building performance to explicitly stated performance
completed more quickly than other types of criteria systematically and rigorously (Aliyu, Muhammad,
construction, as the retail mall owners and developers Mohammed, & Singhry, 2016). In addition, it conveys the
want a quick return on investment as quickly as possible. efficacy of building systems between facility users and
The study focused onthe post-occupancy evaluation of management when applied properly.
shopping malls in Ogun state. Specifically, the study
assessed the physical characteristics of the shopping mall Apart from its use as a performance indicator,
and its environments; examined how well the shopping (Kooymans & Haylock, 2006) suggest that POE is used in
mall matches users’ perception of the adequacy of the determining building defects, formulating design and
spaces within the mall; examined shoppers’ satisfaction construction criteria, supporting performance measures for
with the facilities and services in the study area. With the asset and facility management, lowering facility life cycle
adoption of descriptive statistics (Mean Items Sores, costs by identifying design errors that could lead to
Mean and Standard deviation) as data analysis increased maintenance and operating costs, and clarifying
techniques, the study revealed that the physical design objectives. According to (Cranz, Morhaim, Lindsay,
characteristics of the shopping are in different conditions & Sagan, 2021), post-occupancy evaluation is a research
from architectural perspectives. The study also indicated method that examines how buildings function and
that the shopping malls have adequate spaces for the contributes to both improvements in the building under
shoppers’ movement inside the hall as well as outside the study and general knowledge about how to improve
mall for vehicular movement. Lastly, the findings buildings. Thus, a building should be assessed for
revealed that shoppers are satisfied with the shopping performance after at least six months of occupancy.
mall facilities and services. Thereby, the study concluded
thatthe shopping malls assessed are good conditions in However, due to the attitudes of the owners of the
terms of the physical characteristics of the building, the shopping malls or the knowledge of the builders as well as
available spaces, and the shopper’s perceptions about the architects, the lack of adequate evaluation of the
the facilities and services of the mall. performance of the mall after the completion of the
construction phase might hinder the optimum management
Keywords:- Shopping, Mall, Environment, Post, Occupancy. of built environment facilities of the mall. In some shopping
mall after completion, the available packing space seems not
I. INTRODUCTION to accommodate the customer's cars to the extent that it
results in congestion and increase the customers' waiting
The upsurge of shopping malls is increasingly time. This and many more might affect the customer's
displacing traditional market culture and altering consumer satisfaction and invariably lead to a reduction in patronage.
(shopper) behavior in cities. As a result, shopping center Further, without the utilization of POE, most Architectural
construction projects are completed more quickly than other Engineering and Construction (AEC) experts today rarely
types of construction, as the retail mall owners and monitor the performance of their building post-construction
developers want a quick return on investment as quickly as and there is very little attention to the actual satisfaction of
possible(Niekerk & Cloete, 2020). Also, shopping malls the user (Sedzro, Domea, & Add-Lamptey, 2017).
bring major private capital investment to places where there
was previously little, such as new buildings and significant From the aforementioned, the current study sought to
infrastructural improvements. Comparing the current state of evaluate the condition of shopping malls in Ota, Ogun State,
a structure to its original design intent might provide with attention to the ability of the shopping to meet
valuable information for future design decisions. Because a shoppers' demands. The rest of the study is organized as
building is intrinsically complex, assessing its performance follows; section two presents the methods and materials.
can encompass a wide range of technical, functional, social, While the results are presented in section three, section four
and aesthetic concerns. Assumed the nature of the consists of a discussion, and section five conclude the study.
construction work of the shopping complex in Nigeria, there
is a need for post-occupancy evaluation of such facilities. II. METHODS AND MATERIALS

Post occupancy evaluation (POE) is a tool with which The study employed a survey research design and case
facility managers can identify and evaluate the behavior of a study to evaluate the condition of shopping malls
building (Tookaloo & Smith, 2015). It is also an instrument concerning shoppers' satisfaction. The survey design was
used by experts for the diagnosis of buildings and facilities preferred because of the nature of the study population,
to obtain information useful in the management of the which is, heterogeneous, and spread over a large
building. Thereby, POEs are designed to compare actual geographical area. The design would enable the researcher

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Volume 7, Issue 7, July – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
to collect data that are more primaryand facilitate in-depth adequate; 2 = Dissatisfied/ Inadequate and SD = Strongly
analysis of the study. Likewise, the population of the study dissatisfied/ Grossly inadequate.
consists of the individuals who visit the mall primarily for
shopping and are engaged in shopping. The real population Both descriptive statistics (frequency and simple
of the shoppers appears difficult to obtain since there is no percentage) and Mean Items Score (MIS) were used as data
database for mall shoppers at the moment in Ogun state. In analysis techniques.
such an instance, the researcher adopted the Cochran sample
size formula, which is appropriate for an unknown III. RESULTS
population. Using the formula, the sample was Three A. Questionnaire Response Rate
hundred and Eighty -four (384) and the snowball sampling Out of the 385 questionnaires administered to the
technique was espoused to select the sample size. customers of Justrite Shopping Mall, Ota, Ogun state, 265
A structured questionnaire and observation checklist questionnaires were retrieved. The response rate becomes
(schedule) were used as the research instrument. While a 85% i.e. (265/384* 100 = 69%). Thereby the data analysis
questionnaire was used to solicit information from the was based on 69% of the total administered questionnaires.
shoppers', a checklist was adopted to investigate the B. Characteristics of the Respondents
physical characteristics of the shopping mall in terms of The demographic information of the respondents that is
design and spaces. The statements of the questionnaires considered necessary in the study includes; the gender of the
were framed from the existing literature and relevant respondents, marital status, and age group of the
studies. On the scale basis, the statements of the respondents. The distribution of the data is presented in
questionnaire was on a 4-point Likert scale of the forms; 4 = Table 1 as follows;
Strongly satisfied/ Very adequate, 3 = Satisfied/ Fairly

Demographic Variable Classifications Frequency Percentage

Gender Male 102 38

Female 163 62
Total 265 100
Marital Status Single 172 65
Married 93 35
Total 265 100
Age group 18 - 25years 24 09
26 – 30years 62 23
31 – 35years 51 19
36 – 40years 43 16
41 -45years 36 14
46 – 50years 28 11
Above 50years 21 08
Total 265 100

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics

Source: Researcher’s computation (2022)

Table 1 shows the distribution of demographic 23% of them are within the age group 26 -30 years. Also,
characteristics of the respondents. The gender distribution of 19% of them are within the age group of 31 -35years, and
the respondents indicates that 38% of them were male and 16% of them are within the age group of 36 -40years. While
62% of them were female. By implication, more females 14% of them are within the age group 41 to 45years, 11% of
patronize just rite shopping malls than males. them are within 46 -50 years and 8% of them are 50 years
above.
Further, the marital status distribution of the
respondents revealed that 65% of the respondents are single Physical characteristics of shopping mall and its
and 35% of them are married. This implies that more singles environments.
are patronizing the shopping mall than married. The
outcome might be ascribed to the passion for the singles to Table 2 shows the mean item scores (MIS) of the
hang out or have a feeling of the standard shopping mall like responses and the applicable rankings.
Just rite.

The last demographic characteristic considered was the

age group. The outcome of the variable indicated that 09%
of the respondents are within the age group 18 -25years;

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Volume 7, Issue 7, July – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Sn Statements N MIS Ranking
1 Design facilities 265 3.60 3rd
2 Mall image 265 4.45 1st
3 Mall decoration 265 3.21 7th
4 Walling material 265 2.34 10th
5 External doors 265 4.10 4th
6 Floor finish 265 3.02 9th
7 Window 265 4.20 2nd
8 Building design 265 3.12 8th
9. Mall ambiance condition 265 3.23 6th
10. Visual comfort (Through artificial lighting and natural lighting) 265 3.42 5th
Table 2: Mean Items Scores (MIS) for physical characteristics of shopping malls

Source: Researcher’s computation (2022)

Table 2. indicates the respective rankings by the

respondent to assess the physical characteristics of the C. Shopping Malls Users’ Perception and Adequacy of the
shopping mall and its environment. From the analysis, the Spaces
mall image was ranked 1st with a mean value of 4.45; The second research objective was to examine how the
followed by the mall window with a mean value of 4.20. shopping mall users’ perceived the adequacy of the spaces
Then, the design facilities of the shopping mall were ranked within the mall. To answer the research questions, the
3rd. The part of the shopping mall that was ranked least researcher adopted mean and standard deviation and the
based on the mean item score is floor finish and walling result is shown in Table 4.4.
material.

Sn Statements Mean Std. Dev

1. Circulation (ease of movement) 3.73 0.47
2. Parking space available 3.36 0.50
3. Space design and allocation 3.68 0.75
4. Wayfinding (finding the shelf) 3.91 0.70
5. Presence of direction signs 3.42 0.61
6. Flow within the mall 3.28 0.72
7. Walkways 4.10 0.82
Grand Mean 3.72 0.46
Table 3: Mean and Standard deviation for Shopping Malls Users’ Perception and Adequacy of the Spaces

Source: Researcher’s computation (2022)

value of 3.72 is greater than 3.5; it can be inferred that the
D. Decision Rule: The mean value < 3.5 = Not adequate; respondents believed that the mall spaces are adequate.
Mean value > 3. 5 = Adequate
Table 3 shows the mean and standard deviation for the E. Shoppers’ satisfaction with the facilities and services
responses on shopping Mall users' perception and adequacy The mean and standard deviation was employed and the
of the Spaces. Using the grand mean, which is 3.72 with a outcome of the analysis is shown in Table 4.
corresponding standard deviation of 0.46. Since the mean

Sn Statements Mean Std. Dev

1 Products quality 3.90 1.06
2 Facility and equipment in the mall 4.60 1.31
3 Price of commodities 3.71 1.24
4. Variety of products 4.14 1.10
5. Number of the automatic teller machine 3.29 1.67
6. Available trolleys 2.34 1.16
7. Conveniently located 3.40 1.59
Grand Mean 3.61 1.30
Table 4: Mean and Standard deviation for Shoppers’ satisfaction with the facilities

Source: Researcher’s computation (2022)

From Table 4 the grand mean for all the statements is cut-off value of 3.5, evidence revealed that the shoppers are
3.62 with a corresponding standard deviation of 1.30. And satisfied with the shopping mall’s facilities and services at
since the rand mean value of 3.61 is greater than the mean the time of the study.

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Volume 7, Issue 7, July – 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IV. DISCUSSION REFERENCES

The discussion section of the study presents an [1.] (Aliyu, Muhammad, Mohammed, & Singhry, 2016)A
interpretation of the findings within the context of the Review of Post-Occupancy Evaluation as A Tool and
literature as well as the field of study, which is architecture. Criteria for Assessing Building Performance.
Three research objectives were formulated and appropriate Conference: Academic Conference on Agenda for
statistical tools were adopted to analyze the data collected Sub-Sahara Africa at University of Abuja, Teaching
from the shopping mall users in the study area. The result of Hospital, Conference Hall, Gwagwalada, Abuja
the first research objective established that the physical FCT-Nigeria Volume: Vol. 4 No. 1
characteristics of the shopping are in different conditions [2.] (Cranz, Morhaim, Lindsay, & Sagan, 2021) Post
from architectural perspectives. As indicated in the study, Occupancy Evaluation in Architectural Education
the “mall image” was ranked first by the users of the and Practice, Technology/Architecture Design, 5:1,
shopping mall. Then followed by the “mall window” and the 25-30
“design facilities” was ranked third. Taking a close look at [3.] (Ishak, Martosenjoyo, Beddu, & Latif, 2020)Post
the shopping mall, the mall image is truly attractive, and the Occupancy Evaluation in the Senate Room, Faculty
type of windows on the wall fits in the form of ventilation of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa.
required in the shopping mall environment. Thereby, it is Materials Science and Engineering Conference
obvious the shopping mall must have a good image, good Series. 10.1088/1757-899X/875/1/012009
windows for cross-ventilation, and design facilities. Aside [4.] (Kooymans & Haylock, 2006)Post-occupancy
from the types of products available in the mall, the evaluation and workplace productivity. In:
aforementioned architectural elements of a building also Proceedings of the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society
matter. Conference, 22 January 2006. Auckland, New
Zealand, 1-15.
The study also revealed that the spaces in the shopping [5.] (Niekerk & Cloete, 2020). Socio-economic impact
mall are adequate. One of the requirements for a shopping of shopping centers in Gauteng, South Africa. The
mall is adequate spaces both within the mall and outside the Business and Management Review, 11(1), 51 -58
mall. The spaces within a shopping mall include walkways, [6.] (Preiser, Z., & White, 2015). Post-occupancy
for the movement of people from nooks and cranes. In the evaluation, Routledge, NewYork, USA.
same vein, the space outside the mall is also important for [7.] (Tamunoemi & Tamunoemi, 2020)Post Occupancy
car parking and vehicular movement. In the realm of Evaluation: A More Effective Case Study Method.
architecture, the combination of space plays an essential part Global Scientific Journals (GSJ), 8 (1), 1 -10
in the arrangement of the shopping center's internal space, [8.] (Tookaloo & Smith, 2015). International Conference
carries the customer movement path, and is also an on Sustainable Design, Engineering and
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Lastly, the findings of the study revealed that the
shoppers are satisfied with the shopping mall facilities and
services. Given the physical characteristics of the shopping
mall, the available spaces, and the varieties of products
among others, pieces of evidence revealed that the shoppers
would be satisfied with the facilities and services.

V. CONCLUSION

The study evaluated the condition of shopping malls in

Ogun state to establish shopper satisfaction. Three
objectives were formulated in line with the aim of the study.
With the use of descriptive statistics (Mean Items Sores,
Mean and Standard deviation) the study revealed that the
physical characteristics of the shopping are in different
conditions from architectural perspectives. The study also
indicated that the shopping malls have adequate spaces for
the shoppers’ movement inside the hall as well as outside
the shopping for vehicular movement. Lastly, the study
indicated that shoppers are satisfied with the shopping mall
facilities and services. Based on the aforementioned, the
study concluded that the condition of the shopping malls
assessed is good conditions in terms of the physical
characteristics of the building, the available spaces, and the
shopper’s perceptions about the facilities and services of the
mall.

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