Zhang, W; Ding, N; Xue, R; Han, Y and Liu, C (2025) Building success: The impact of talent recruitment on the growth of the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 32(9), pp. 5989-6005. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - In today’s digital era, talent recruitment can help address the growing shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry and promote sustainable growth. While existing research has explored the association between talent acquisition and local labor productivity or economic progress, the impact on construction growth deserves further study. This study aims to (1) explore the influence of talent recruitment on the growth of the construction industry and (2) analyze whether different regional characteristics shape the differential impact of talent acquisition on construction growth. Design/methodology/approach - This research employs a quantitative approach, focusing on 35 major cities in China. A panel data regression model is utilized to analyze annual data from 2013 to 2018, considering variables like the construction talent recruitment index, value added in construction, gross regional product per capita and others. The study also examines regional heterogeneity and conducts robustness tests to validate the findings. Findings - The results reveal a positive and significant correlation between talent recruitment and construction industry growth. This correlation is more pronounced in economically advanced and infrastructure-rich regions. The study also finds that factors like capital investment, educational attainment and housing prices significantly contribute to industry growth. Talent recruitment not only transforms local labor market dynamics but also drives demand for construction services, promoting industry growth through economies of scale. Originality/value - This research constructs a new measurement for talent recruitment and provides new insights into the pivotal role of talent recruitment in the sustainable growth of the construction industry. It underscores the need for construction firms to tailor talent acquisition policies to their specific circumstances and regional developmental conditions. The findings offer practical guidance for driving regional growth within the sector, emphasizing the importance of talent recruitment as a key yet previously underappreciated factor in industry development.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; labor market; sustainable growth; talent recruitment; web scraping |
| Index terms: | industry growth, construction firm, skilled labour, capital investment, China, housing, methodology, acquisition, regression model, construction industry, recruitment, industry development, dynamics, labour productivity, labour market |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, statistical analysis, industry analysis, economics, management, business, research methods, Geography, economic analysis, organization, strategic management, construction type |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Human Resources, Site Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Technology |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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