Hewage, K N (2007) Construction productivity improvement by worker motivation and it based communication. PhD thesis, University of Calgary, Canada.
Abstract
For decades, many researchers have reported the decline of construction productivity in North America. Much of this research has not been statistically validated and is over generalized. To apply the conclusions drawn from these studies to Alberta's commercial construction industry is not appropriate. Factors which distinguish Alberta's construction force include: geographical differences, constantly changing weather, the skill level of the labour force in Alberta, and the demand made on Albertan workers by the current economic situation. The research project described in this thesis is a collaborative work involving the six leading construction companies and three research organizations, which are all Canadian. Based on the recommendations of previous researchers and the suggestions of construction industry professionals, Phase A of the research focused on worker motivation, factors influencing worker skills and team spirit, and working efficiencies in the commercial construction industry of Calgary (Alberta). In Phase A of the research, 101 construction workers from the carpentry trade were observed, interviewed, and questionnaire surveyed. A theoretical model was developed in conjunction with the work of several experts in the field of motivation. A working efficiency chart has been developed as an outcome of observations of the participating construction workers. The factors which contribute to worker skills, training needs, and team spirit have been analyzed. The data analysis of Phase A of this research clearly revealed the inadequacy of communication on present construction projects; especially in the construction site environment. Hence, Phase B of the research was focused to improve on-site communication on construction projects. The researcher explored the possibility of adding an information technology (IT) based communication system for on-site operations. A thorough communication and IT needs analysis has been conducted by contacting all major stakeholders on IT based communication; construction managers, workers, and technology developers. Questionnaire surveys, interviews, workshops, and on-site observations were conducted. The research participants were receptive to the idea of establishing an Information Booth in actual site environment. The Information Booth was then pilot tested on construction sites for six weeks. Three rounds of questionnaire surveys, observations, and output measurements were conducted during this period.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | efficiency; measurement; motivation; skills; construction project; construction site; communication; information technology; productivity; site operations; training; construction worker; developer; professional; stakeholders; weather; interview; questionnaire survey |
| Index terms: | labour force, data analysis, interview, construction company, survey, motivation, construction site, construction manager, questionnaire, construction project, information technology, weather, needs analysis, workshop, training need, efficiency, productivity, commercial construction, site operation, construction productivity, construction industry, construction worker |
| Subjects: | production management, management, economics, performance management, educational resources, industry analysis, computing systems, practitioner, scope management, data collection methods, profession, construction type, air quality, organization, data analysis and analytics, psychology, work location, operations management |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Supply Chain Management, Education, Project Management, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Human Resources, Site Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology |
| 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