Investigating projects' working environment effects on labour productivity: perceptions of Iranian road contractors' managers
Files
(Published version)
Date
2013
Authors
Hosseini, M.R.
Chileshe, N.
Ghoddousi, P.
Poorafshar, O.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Conference paper
Citation
Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Engineering, Project, and Production Management (EPPM 2013), 2013, pp.87-97
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
4th International Conference on Engineering, Project, and Production Management (EPPM 2013) (23 Oct 2013 - 25 Oct 2013 : Bangkok, Thailand)
Abstract
Delays and budget overruns in construction projects have been a lifelong problem in many developing countries including Iran. Previous studies within Iranian construction context have wholeheartedly acknowledged the contribution of low labour productivity to the foregoing challenges rampant in the Iranian construction industry. In this context, identifying the factors adversely affecting labour productivity seems to be the first step towards resolving the aforementioned issues. Taking into account the crucial role of road construction projects in Iran as a developing country, this paper presents the results of one of the first studies conducted in Iranian road projects aiming at identifying and ranking the major factors influencing the labour productivity of road contractors. The literature review findings established that one of the key aspects of a project affecting labour productivity concerns the project's nature and working environments. Hence, the impacts levels of 8 overarching factors associated with working environments in road construction projects were investigated through conducting a questionnaire survey eliciting the viewpoints of CEOs of 60 contractor companies active in road construction projects in Iran. The outcomes ascertained the main factors pertaining the projects nature and environment acting as the determinants of labour productivity in road contractor companies. The primary factors were ranked as: (1) procurement policies, (2) weather conditions, (3) technologies deployed, (4) quality auditing procedures, (5) congestion and overcrowding on the site, (6) complexity of the projects, (7) site geographical conditions, and (8) reworks. The findings of the study would contribute to the body of construction management knowledge by highlighting the factors affecting labour productivity as the prerequisite for any attempt geared towards improving labour productivity in road construction projects.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2013 the authors