Adekunle, O O (2019) A linear programming-based optimization model to address skilled labor shortages through strategic investments in the construction industry. DEng thesis, Morgan State University, USA.
Abstract
The construction industry is facing several challenges, including skilled labor shortage and reduced productivity. This dissertation reviews the literature to examine the challenges facing the construction industry, with primary focus on the impact of skilled labor shortages. Based on the review of the literature, we identify three key factors to address the skilled labor shortages and its impact on productivity, which are: 1. Education, 2. Apprenticeship; and 3. Financial Incentive. A mathematical modeling framework using a Linear Programming approach is developed to minimize the total investment in education, apprenticeship, and financial incentive to reduce the impacts of skilled labor shortages and boost the productivity. Simulation-based data as well data from a survey questionnaire are used to perform various case study examples and sensitivity analysis to test and validate the developed mathematical model. The results indicate that apprenticeship and financial incentives play a significant role in reducing short term labor shortages. Education on the other hand, plays a significant role in reducing the labor shortage in the long run. A more robust analysis using additional data can be performed in the future works.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Hunter, J and Oguntimein, G |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | education; apprenticeship; investment; productivity; programming; linear programming; case study; simulation |
| Index terms: | mathematical modelling, labour shortage, dissertation, construction industry, case study, linear programming, productivity, apprenticeship, programming, questionnaire, strategic investment, shortages, financial incentive, skilled labour, mathematical model, sensitivity analysis, survey |
| Subjects: | analytical methods, economic analysis, programming, research dissemination and communication, environmental hazards, professional education, algorithms, financial and cost management, data collection methods, mathematical modelling, industry analysis, management, economics |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Human Resources, Business Strategy, Cost Management, Research Practice, Supply Chain Management, Education, Sustainability |
| 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