Wagner, H; Kim, A J and Gordon, L (2013) Relationship between personal protective equipment, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction of women in the building trades. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 139(10): 04013005, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Within construction trades, there is a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and work clothing specifically designed and manufactured for women. This was a mixed methods study designed to investigate the use of PPE and work clothing among tradeswomen and to examine attributes significantly related to PPE/work clothing satisfaction using the Functional-Expressive-Aesthetic (FEA) consumer needs model. In addition, the relationship between PPE/work clothing, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction were quantitatively analyzed. The findings of this study suggest the common phrase "dress for success" applies beyond white-collar workers. The data showed clear connections between satisfaction of PPE and work clothing, self-efficacy, and overall satisfaction of trades work. Although it is a leap to imply properly fitting PPE can improve the statistics of job retention for tradeswomen, this research indicates it is logical to suggest wearing proper PPE and work clothing creates a more positive work experience for women within the building trades. This study provides empirical evidence of steps employers can take (namely, providing proper PPE and work clothing for women on site) to improve the job satisfaction of a diversifying workforce.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | job satisfaction; labor and personnel issues; personal protective equipment; women in construction |
| Index terms: | satisfaction, mixed method, retention, clothing, job satisfaction, aesthetic, women, personal protective equipment, statistics, self-efficacy, personnel, evidence, building trade |
| Subjects: | occupational health and safety management, sociology, factor and component analysis, management, project delivery, evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, human factors and perception, practitioner |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Project Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| 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