Ohueri, C C; Enegbuma, W I; Wong, N H; Kuok, K K and Kenley, R (2018) Labour productivity motivation framework for Iskandar Malaysia. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(3), pp. 293-304. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity. Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22). Findings: The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers. Originality/value: The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | development; framework; iskandar Malaysia; labour; motivation; productivity |
| Index terms: | purposive sampling, implementation, questionnaire, labour productivity, construction project, methodology, construction professional, career, social science, motivation, survey, strategy, morale, productivity, relative importance index, package, quantitative research, Malaysia, Singapore, financial incentive, skilled labour |
| Subjects: | professional development, Geography, production management, research methods, management, theoretical framing, leadership, risk assessment, data collection methods, economic analysis, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, psychology |
| Topics: | Human Resources, Site Management, Organizational Design, Business Strategy, Information Management, Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Risk Management, Procurement |
| 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