Mani, N (2015) A framework for estimating labor productivity frontiers. PhD thesis, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, USA.
Abstract
The efficiency of construction operations is typically determined by comparing actual versus historical productivity. This practice is accurate if historical data reflects optimal values. Otherwise, this comparison is a gauge of relative rather than absolute efficiency. Therefore, in order to determine absolute efficiency, one must compare actual versus optimal productivity. Optimal productivity is the highest sustainable productivity level achievable under "good management" and "typical field conditions," while the productivity frontier is the theoretical maximum achievable under "perfect conditions. " The productivity frontier is an abstraction useful in the estimation of optimal productivity of construction operations. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by introducing a novel framework to estimate the labor productivity frontier and applying it in a pilot study and a detailed study on the installation of lighting fixtures and the fabrication of sheet metal ducts activities. The pilot study analyzed data on the fluorescent bulb replacement task up to the action level, collected from a school in Omaha, Nebraska to estimate the labor productivity frontier. Following two approaches-observed durations and estimated durations-the productivity frontier computed from this pilot study was found to be 22. 32 stations per hour. The detailed study analyzed both action and movement levels by collecting data from a workshop at a mechanical specialty constructor in Omaha, Nebraska. The pilot study only analyzed the sequential actions of a single worker. The detailed study analyzed the sequential and parallel actions and movements of crews of multiple workers involved in the fabrication activity. The productivity frontier for this activity computed from the detailed study, following both observed durations and estimated durations, was found to be 2. 83 ducts per crew-hour. Moreover, this research explores advanced automated frameworks using video cameras and a Kinect sensor in order to estimate the labor productivity frontier. One of the advantages of the proposed framework is that constructors, rather than being constrained by historical data, can also estimate the productivity frontier for activities they have never performed. Furthermore, scopes of this research-such as virtual environment development, recombinant synthetic workers development, and ergonomics and safety analysis-are also discussed.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Foster, T and Rojas, E M |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | duration; replacement; estimating; fabrication; productivity; safety; ergonomics |
| Index terms: | labour productivity, metal, fabrication, duration, estimate, workshop, efficiency, construction operation, estimation, productivity, ergonomics, replacement, estimating, body of knowledge, movement, virtual environment |
| Subjects: | manufacturing engineering, knowledge management, construction operations, materials science, health behaviours and lifestyles, construction type, occupational health and safety management, project controls, management, traditional and composite building materials, performance management, financial and cost management, virtual reality |
| Topics: | Quality Management, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Site Management, Time Control, Digital Applications, Construction Technology, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Information Management, Cost Management, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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