Agyekum, K; Kissi, E; Danku, J C; Ampratwum, G and Amegatsey, G S (2020) Factors driving the career progression of construction project managers. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 18(6), pp. 1773-1791. ISSN 1726-0531
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to examine the factors that drive the career progression of construction project managers (CPM) in the Ghanaian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the quantitative approach, the views of 80 CPMs working with D1 building construction firms were elicited using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using one-sample t-test, which was used to examine the relative significance of the variables. The mean scores, standard deviations and significance values (p-values) of each variable were used to examine the outcome of the survey. Findings: The findings suggest that “existence of organizational support systems”, “ability to create identity”, “having an influential mentor and coach”, “accepting complicated and high visibility assignments” and “ability to gain managerial or leadership experience” are the key factors that drive the career progression of CPMs in Ghana. Research limitations/implications: Findings from this study is limited to CPMs, specifically within the Ghanaian construction industry. This implies that with the fragmented nature of the construction industry, adopting these findings in construction settings within other countries may not yield the desired results, especially, if those countries do not share similar characteristics and context with Ghana. Practical implications: Practically, this study highlights for the benefits of project managers (PM) (especially those in the construction industry) the key factors that drive their career progressions. Identification of these drivers offers the professionals with those factors to be prioritized when seeking to progress their careers in the construction industry. Originality/value: Empirical research on the factors that drive the career progression of CPMs has not been fully examined in previous studies, though such studies in other sectors aside construction are prevalent. Hence, the identification of the drivers for career progression of construction PMs advances literature in the area and offers the professionals with those factors to be prioritized when seeking to progress their careers.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | career advancement; career path; career progression; construction industry; construction project managers; Ghana |
| Index terms: | identity, construction industry, project manager, Ghana, deviation, questionnaire, methodology, career, construction project, manager, survey, building construction |
| Subjects: | building construction, sociology, industry analysis, research methods, production management, Geography, professional development, financial and cost management, data collection methods, profession, practitioner |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Cost Management, Information Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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