Investigating the factors affecting construction site productivity – a case of India
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 26 September 2022
Issue publication date: 14 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Proper prediction of productivity can enable the enhanced estimation, realistic scheduling, and accurate cost forecasting of construction processes. Due to the existence of different labor sources (unionized and non-unionized), the prediction of productivity is still a significant problem in India. Moreover, the construction procurement processes and on-site performance are the predominant elements that can result in improved project outcomes. Thereby, the consideration of labor constraints and site conditions will play an important role in productivity improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the factors affecting construction site productivity. A total of 28 factors are grouped under 7 categories as follows: labor constraints, safety and quality procurements, material and equipment (ME), site management, project working condition, delay controls, construction methods and techniques, and external factors. Furthermore, by involving these factors, the questionnaire survey was conducted among Indian construction practitioners. As a result, 204 responses were received and the data were analyzed using a reliability test, relative importance index (RII), and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Findings
The result of this study highlighted the importance of strategic construction management activities in terms of effective planning of ME, planning and realistic scheduling of construction activities, proper communication, information sharing, etc. Thus, this study provides a clear insight to the Indian construction practitioners in determining the effect of these site factors on the successful execution of their projects.
Originality/value
In this paper, the problem of construction productivity in India and its causes are explained effectively. This study examines the preference of labor contract, labor source, and most importantly, the factors affecting site productivity. Moreover, the other lagging issues regarding the management of construction activities are also described in detail.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the numerous respondents of this study, for their generous collaboration and contributions.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Ethical statement: Authors state that the research was conducted according to ethical standards.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Citation
Vigneshwar, R.V.K. and Shanmugapriya, S. (2023), "Investigating the factors affecting construction site productivity – a case of India", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 30 No. 2, pp. 963-985. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2022-0529
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited