Research Methodology Assignment

Paper No: ISSN 2345-0282 (online)

Title of Paper: CRITICAL FACTORS AFFECTING LABOR PRODUCTIVITY WITHIN CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: A PROJECT MANAGER’S PERSPECTIVE

Journal name: Web of Science

Indexing (Scopus/Web of science): Scopus
Paper link: http://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.8.2(45)
Abstract: The present study aims to identify critical factors affecting labor productivity within the
construction project implementation from the project manager’s viewpoint. By a comprehensive
review of the previous studies, this study identified 45 critical factors impacting construction labor
productivity, which were grouped as primary 6 groups include: manpower, management, work
condition, project, and external factors. A total of 56 valid samples were collected by 65 project
managers’ respondents who completed a structured questionnaire survey according to their
previous participation in or directly implementation construction projects. These critical factors were
ranked based on their relative important index and descriptive statistics (i.e. mean and standard
deviation). The analysis of the identified critical factors indicated that the most significant critical
factors impacting construction labor productivity are ‘ability of construction management, ‘financial
status of stakeholders’, ‘work discipline’, ‘design changes’, ‘timeliness of remuneration’, ‘economic
conditions’, ‘lack of supervision’, ‘accident’, ‘availability of labors’, and ‘availability of materials’

Keywords: critical factors; labor productivity; construction project implementation; affecting; project
managers

Important Diagram/Image/Explanation:
 Research Methodology Assignment
Your observation:
 The construction industry significantly contributes to a country's GDP and is a human-
intensive sector. Labor productivity is crucial for project success, as it affects quality,
cost, and time performance. In many countries, construction labor costs account for 30%
to 50% of the total cost of a project. Improving labor productivity is essential for
organizations as it demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of converting sources
into marketable merchandise.
 Previous studies have identified various factors affecting construction labor productivity,
such as workforce, management, equipment, tools, materials, technology, and
environment. However, perception of these factors may vary depending on the roles of
respondents in project implementation. This study aims to identify and assess the critical
factors impacting labor productivity within construction investment project
implementation based on project managers' awareness. The findings are expected to help
implement better tasks towards improving construction labor productivity.
 Various factors impacting labor productivity in the construction sector have been
proposed and categorized by various researchers from different countries.
 The study analyzed factors affecting construction labor productivity in various countries,
including Yemen, Bahrain, Oman, Gaza Strip, Jordan, and Jordan. The research identified
45 critical factors affecting labor productivity in construction projects, categorized into
six groups: manpower, management, motivation, work condition, project, and external.
The study used a questionnaire survey to collect data on participants' demographic
information and identified factors.
 The participants were surveyed based on their experience in construction investment
projects in Vietnam. The impact degree of these factors was assessed using a 5-point
Likert scale. The study used the Relative Importance Index (RII) approach to evaluate the
levels of impact of these factors. The study found that the frequency and impact levels of
these factors vary depending on the project and the situation. The findings suggest that a
more comprehensive understanding of these factors is needed to improve construction
labor productivity.
 The study identifies 45 critical factors affecting labor productivity in construction project
implementation, grouped into six categories: manpower, management, work condition,
project, and external factors. The primary factors affecting labor productivity include the
ability of construction management, financial status of stakeholders, work discipline,
design changes, timeliness of remuneration, economic conditions, lack of supervision,
accident, availability of labors, and availability of materials.
 To improve labor productivity, the project management unit should encourage regular
training programs, create workshops and training courses, pay progress payments on time,
introduce regulations to control work discipline, and create recognition programs. Project
managers should supervise and control materials supply, reduce design changes, and
apply construction management technology advances to improve project performance and
profit. The authors encourage replication of this topic in various areas and countries to
further understand the complex problems of construction labor productivity and the
critical factors related to specific socioeconomic conditions and cultural backgrounds.
 Research Methodology Assignment
Important Reference:
Alaghbari, W., Al-Sakkaf, A. A., & Sultan, B. (2019). Factors affecting construction labour productivity
in Yemen. International Journal of Construction Management, 19(1), 79-91.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2017.1382091

Alinaitwe, H. M., Mwakali, J. A., & Hansson, B. (2007). Factors affecting the productivity of building
craftsmen‐studies of Uganda. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 13(3), 169-176.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/citedby/10.1080/13923730.2007.9636434?
scroll=top&needAccess=true

Akmam Syed Zakaria, S., & Amtered El-Abidi, K. M. (2020). Economic effects of migrant labor on
industrialized building system (IBS) adoption in the Malaysian construction industry. Architectural
Engineering and Design Management, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2020.1781587

Hiyassat, M. A., Hiyari, M. A., & Sweis, G. J. (2016). Factors affecting construction labour productivity:
a case study of Jordan. International Journal of Construction Management, 16(2), 138-149.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2016.1142266

Jarkas, A. M. (2015). Factors influencing labour productivity in Bahrain's construction industry.

International journal of construction management, 15(1), 94-108.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2015.1012143 Jarkas, A. M., Al Balushi, R. A., & Raveendranath,
P. K. (2015). Determinants of construction labour productivity in Oman. International journal of
construction management, 15(4), 332-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2015.1094849

Jarkas, A. M., Radosavljevic, M., & Wuyi, L. (2014). Prominent demotivational factors influencing the
productivity of construction project managers in Qatar. International Journal of Productivity and
Performance Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-11-2013-0187