A hybrid framework to model factors affecting construction labour productivity: Case study of Iran
Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction
ISSN: 1366-4387
Article publication date: 7 October 2019
Issue publication date: 23 October 2019
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to model different causal relations among factors interacting with labour productivity in order to recognize the most important factors influencing and influenced by it.
Design/methodology/approach
Top 60 factors affecting labour productivity were determined and grouped into 5 major groups by reviewing previous research and interviewing relevant experts. The interactions of factors were modelled using system dynamics (SD) approach. The resulting causal loop diagrams obtained from SD were then applied for identifying the most crucial factors influencing and influenced by labour productivity through the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The impact of factors on each other was finally determined based on the opinions of 63 experts selected from the Iranian construction industry.
Findings
The results indicated that factors such as fatigue, lack of labour motivation and lack of skill are the most influencing, and factors such as schedule delay and inflation in the cost of execution are the most influenced by labour productivity. In the end, a set of recommendations to improve construction labour productivity was also presented.
Originality/value
The main contribution of the study is proposing a novel method which is capable of providing insights into how causes and effects of construction labour productivity are interrelated. Furthermore, the proposed method makes this study distinct from previous research in the light of prioritizing factors and offering recommendations according to the interrelationships among factors.
Keywords
Citation
Parchami Jalal, M. and Shoar, S. (2019), "A hybrid framework to model factors affecting construction labour productivity: Case study of Iran", Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 630-654. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMPC-10-2018-0061
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited