Ajayi, S O; Jones, W and Unuigbe, M (2019) Occupational stress management for UK construction professionals: Understanding the causes and strategies for improvement. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 17(4), pp. 819-832. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: The increasing awareness of stress as an issue in the construction industry, and the increased realisation of the more effective approach of preventing stress as opposed to treating mental health, has placed a great responsibility on industries that rely heavily on the performance of their workforce. In line with this, this paper aims to investigate the causes of stress and the best strategies for improving professional resilience and stress management proficiency in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Using exploratory sequential mixed method research design, the top factors that cause stress, mitigate stress and build resilience are identified and discussed. Findings: The findings show thematic similarities in the causes of stress, by displaying a reoccurring theme relating to the quality and lack of information, as well as poor communication among the construction professionals. This implies that poor collaboration and “over-the-wall syndrome” of the construction industry does not only contribute to defective output and reworks, it also has significant impacts on the health and well-being of the professionals. Recommendations are made on how to mitigate stress in the industry, by addressing its root-causes and implementing the identified mitigation strategies. This includes a realistic approach to budgeting and project duration, as well as improved communication and collaboration. Originality/value: Finding of this study could help in mitigating stress and mental health concerns that are currently plaguing the construction industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | communication; construction professionals; culture in construction; stress |
| Index terms: | duration, construction industry, mental health, construction professional, mixed method research, methodology, collaboration, mitigation, occupational stres, rework, health and wellbeing, strategy, budgeting, culture in construction |
| Subjects: | mental health and wellbeing, operations management, financial risk, professional development, research methods, management, financial management, industry analysis, sociology, health conditions and diseases, project controls, occupational health and safety management |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Cost Management, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Time Control, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here