Lawani, K; Billy, H and Cameron, I (2021) Conceptualising self-determination theory as an indicator for improving construction worker motivation. In: Scott, L and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 37th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-7 September 2021, Online Event, UK.
Abstract
The construction industry is one of UK’s most important economic sector and assessing the motivation of construction workers involves systematic application of psychological research on human behaviour to the problems of workplace H&S. This paper presents the 'bottom-up' approach to worker motivation with emphasis on construction operatives and supervisors regarding the H&S motivation for their roles. The study depicted the types of motivation using the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a reliable framework to conceptualise operatives and supervisors' motivation using the traffic light system. The phenomenological research conducted 22 semi-structured, open-ended interviews focusing on the theme of motivation in relation to H&S and the data was thematically analysed. The result reveal that no worker showed signs of lack of motivation (red) but rather, there were variations amongst workers undertaking their roles for either extrinsic (amber) or intrinsic (green) factors. Twelve workers discussed issues of intrinsic motivation e.g. happiness, enjoyment and satisfaction at work while 10 workers discussed issues considered as extrinsic motivation e.g. family, money, career progression, and project delivery. This study adds to existing body of knowledge around the antecedents of motivation for construction workers.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | motivation; self-determination theory; intrinsic; extrinsic; traffic light |
| Index terms: | operative, project delivery, body of knowledge, construction industry, construction operative, construction worker, supervisor, self-determination, variation, career, human behaviour, motivation, satisfaction, interview |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, practitioner, health behaviours and lifestyles, human factors and perception, psychology, project delivery, knowledge management, professional development, contractual condition, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Procurement, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Contract Administration, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
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