Human resource management in the construction industry: sustainability competencies

Siew, R Y J (2014) Human resource management in the construction industry: sustainability competencies. Construction Economics and Building, 14(2), pp. 87-103. ISSN 2204-9029

Abstract

While environmental sustainability has been the subject of much debate in the last decade, it was not until recently that attention started to shift towards human resource management as an enabler for sustainability. Yet, this is still a relatively under researched area. Much is still unknown about the role of an individual worker in contributing towards sustainable development. This paper addresses the gap by proposing a framework to measure sustainability competencies of employees within the construction industry sector. As part of the framework, four proficiency levels together with relevant descriptions are defined for a total of eight sustainability competencies. Suggested proficiency levels are then mapped to main construction related jobs based on the framework. An example is also given to illustrate the manner in which competencies should be assessed. This framework is original and of practical use to construction managers and human resource practitioners.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: construction; human resource management; sustainability competencies
Index terms: construction manager, practitioner, human resource, environmental sustainability, construction industry, sustainable development, human resource management
Subjects: industry analysis, practitioner, health safety and environment, management, profession
Topics: Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Health and Safety, Research Practice
Descriptive scope: 3 PCT

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