Leung, M y; Wong, M k and Oloke, D (2003) Coping behaviours of construction estimators in stress management. In: Greenwood, D J (ed.) Proceedings of 19th Annual ARCOM Conference, 3-5 September 2003, Brighton, UK.
Abstract
Cost estimation does not only require a precise technical and analytical input from estimators but also involve the use of subjective judgment. The short tendering period together with the accuracy required have induced a great deal of stress to estimators. Some clinical studies have shown that reasonable stress could motivate an individual at work and stimulate the output; however excessive stress might seriously affect the performance. An appropriate coping behaviour can adjust the stress for the optimization of estimating performance. This paper aims to (1) identify the estimators' coping us to stress; and (2) investigate the relationships between stress and coping behaviour in the construction estimation. Based on the extensive literature review, two kinds of coping behaviours are identified: problem focused coping behaviours (direct and control action, instrumental support seeking and preparatory action); and emotion-focused coping behaviours (escape, positive/negative emotional discharge and religious emotional support). A questionnaire survey indicates that various behaviours are applied to cope with the stress by the estimators with different working experiences. Senior estimators normally apply problem-focused coping behaviours to alleviate the stress encountered in the jobs, while junior estimators with limited working experiences prefer to seek emotional support from their religions in order to relieve the stress. Sufficient on-job training and problem-solving skills are thus recommended in order to improve their estimation performance
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction estimators; stress; coping behaviours; working experience |
| Index terms: | escape, estimating, coping, questionnaire, estimator, construction estimator, literature review, estimation, religion, survey, accuracy, cost estimating, judgment |
| Subjects: | dispute resolution, data collection methods, profession, financial and cost management, data analysis and analytics, professional development, culture and identity, behavioral psychology, emergency and crisis management |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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