A meta-analysis of factors affecting labour productivity of construction SMEs in developing countries
Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology
ISSN: 1726-0531
Article publication date: 17 September 2021
Issue publication date: 8 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The global construction industry is significant to economic development, whereas the sector, particularly its small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have continued to suffer from low labour productivity for decades. This has given rise to the concern of relevant construction stakeholders on the need to address the challenges undermining labour productivity growth in construction. Hence, this study aims to conduct a meta-data analysis of factors that hamper productivity growth of construction SMEs in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of existing studies relative to factors affecting construction labour productivity (CLP) is presented. Thereafter, eight developing countries-based studies that are specific to SMEs were selected for meta-data analysis using relative importance index values from the studies.
Findings
The essential productivity influencing factors were identified and quantitative data of the selected studies were synthesised. The effect summaries derived from the meta-data analysis revealed that the most significant factors that negatively affect CLP amongst SMEs include: workers’ skills, inadequate training, rework, management style and incentive to labour.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to scientifically analysed secondary data relative to SME contractors in developing countries.
Practical implications
The findings of the study can be adopted by construction stakeholders to evolve productivity growth policies for construction SMEs in developing countries.
Originality/value
Synthesis of quantitative data of different studies has lent deeper insight into a more realistic and scientific precision of factors affecting labour productivity of construction SMEs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Conflict of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Citation
Adebowale, O.J. and Agumba, J.N. (2023), "A meta-analysis of factors affecting labour productivity of construction SMEs in developing countries", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 1441-1460. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-05-2021-0277
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited