Dai, J (2006) A latent analysis and prototype system to manage jobsite factors impacting construction labor productivity. PhD thesis, University of Kentucky, USA.
Abstract
As the major player executing construction processes and activities, craft workers have an important impact on construction productivity. Craft workers are certainly in the ideal position to know where and how much of a site's productivity is lost or gained at the work face. Nevertheless, craft workers' input and their perception of the factors that influence their ability to be productive has rarely been sought by either practitioner and researchers in the construction industry. This research study craft workers' view of construction labor productivity. Specifically, this research examines the factors affecting craft workers' ability to be productive and the underlying structure of these factors. First, focus group sessions were conducted on nine jobsites throughout the U.S. with craft workers and their immediate supervisors to identify the factors affecting construction productivity. Next, a nation wide survey were administered to nearly 2,000 craft workers and their immediate supervisors to identify the relative magnitude of the factors' impact on construction labor productivity and to also solicit their suggestions on how to resolve these factors. Through descriptive and ANOVA analyses, it is found that the most significant factors are consistently associated with construction equipment, engineering drawings, tools and consumables, and materials. The research also finds that the factors affecting construction productivity are related to each other. A systematic approach need be employed to examine the factors affecting construction labor productivity in order to improve construction productivity efficiently and effectively. A total of 10 latent factors are identified to represent the relationship among the factors affecting construction labor productivity as Construction Equipment Factors, Material Factors, Tool and Consumable Factors, Engineering Drawing Management Factors, Direction and Coordination Factors, Project Management Factors, Training Factors, Craft Worker Factors, Superintendent Competency Factors, and Foreman Competency Factors. Regression analyses further recognize Construction Equipment Factors, Project Management Factors and Craft Worker Factors having the greatest possibility to improve construction productivity based on craft workers' perception. Finally, a prototype system is proposed to assist project management in planning and managing the factors by engaging craft workers. Keywords. Construction, Productivity, Workforce, Construction Site, Factor Analysis
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Goodrum, P M and Maloney, W F |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | coordination; workforce; construction equipment; construction labor; construction site; equipment; productivity; training; focus group |
| Index terms: | construction labour, factor analysis, supervisor, construction productivity, construction industry, project management, coordination, regression analysis, construction equipment, productivity, construction process, practitioner, focus group, construction site, face, drawing, prototype, survey |
| Subjects: | operations management, work location, modelling and simulation, technical documentation, psychology, data collection methods, practitioner, building construction, statistical analysis, industry analysis, management, construction equipment, project management theory and practice |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Site Management, Organizational Design, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Plant and Equipment, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Project Management |
| 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