Quantitative Relationship Between Motivational Factors and Workers’ Productivity in Construction Projects
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES:
1)To determine the various motivational factors applicable in the construction industry.
2) To examine how such motivational factors can be adopted in on-going construction projects.
3) To determine the extent or level of motivation appropriate to result in increased productivity.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Concept of Motivation
Motivation has been defined variously by several authors. For instance, Jean et al. (2006) defined it as individual’s effort to produce greatest possible work result. Cox et al. (2005) in Barg et al. (2014) defined motivation as providing a push to satisfy needs. Anthony (2011) defined it as a drive within a person that is responsible for the extent, course and diligence of efforts expended at work. From the above definitions, motivation can be seen as an incentive, catalyst, stimulus or a driving force that directs the behaviour of an individual towards achieving a given sets of objectives with a view to meeting personal needs and achieving organisational goals. Therefore, to every effort expended by an individual, there is a reason or motive, this is considered to be in the best interest of the person concerned. Motive is a reason behind an action. Motivation is derived from a Latin word ‘movere’ which is understood to mean move (Hodgetts & Kuratko, 1991). In whatever form motivation is viewed, its basic purpose is to provide an internal drive by way of incentive to achieve organisational goals and meet workers needs.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain quantitative relationship between motivational factors and workers productivity in construction project. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of quantitative relationship between motivational factors and workers productivity in construction project
Summary
This study was on quantitative relationship between motivational factors and workers productivity in construction project. Three objectives were raised which included; To determine the various motivational factors applicable in the construction industry, to examine how such motivational factors can be adopted in on-going construction projects and to determine the extent or level of motivation appropriate to result in increased productivity. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected construction companies in Lagos state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
This study has shown that construction workers in Lagos, Nigeria are mostly motivated by financial incentives, while the contractors operate on non financial incentives. This implies that motivation application is not in line with workers needs. Therefore this evidence suggests that this might be responsible for low GDP recorded in the sector. Moreover, another finding in this study was that motivation influences productivity. This was because of the positive linear relationship established between them. Therefore, it can be concluded that motivation has high impact on productivity attainment in the construction sector. The results of the investigation further established that productivity level recorded in the construction sector in Lagos, Nigeria has no impact on company performance. Most of the projects executed had problem of time and cost overrun. Moreover, evidence from this study further indicates that the impact of resistance factors on supervisors and craftsmen in Lagos, Nigeria are the same; hence they are influenced by the same factors. The implication of this outcome is that industry managers will find it easier to address this issue without the need to separate workers into trade or profession in the course of identifying what could cause resistance among them. Moreover, it has been established that workers resist change when their interest is not covered by change agents, this lays credence to the need to address workers interest in change implementation. Multiple regression analysis also reveals that there is high impact of motivation on productivity as well as low influence of resistance on productivity. This outcome also emphasis on the importance of motivation in reducing resistance among workers thereby increasing productivity
Recommendation
Job security of construction workers in Lagos Nigeria should be ensured. This can be achieved by enactment of employment protection legislation. This law will protect workers against illogical dismissal and retrenchment. This will go a long way at reducing unemployment rate and secure the jobs of individuals.
Good salary is ranked second most influential factor on workers. The study observed that agitation for good salary may not end, mostly in developing nations like Nigeria where devaluation of the local currency is prevalent. The study recommends setting a salary baseline in USA dollar, since the local currency is usually measured against the dollar. At the beginning of each year, conversion to local currency should be done; this will be the salary package for the year. It will help minimize agitation for better pay from workers as well as making government to be more serious with their monetary policies.
Contractors should not see application of financial reward as a burden, beside workers salary, other financial incentives like appreciation of efforts, bonus and promotion opportunity are not for all workers. To address this issue, a time of the year should be set aside to appreciate some staff that have added value to the company within the year by giving them reward in the presence of all. This may be in form of best performed workers of the year or long service award. It will help to boost morale of fellow workers, and motivate them to better performance with a view to winning some other time. In this regard, it is recommended that a reward management officer be appointed who will monitor workers performance and make recommendation based on laid down guidelines. The people to be rewarded can then be limited to the financial strength of the organisation.
The study also established that working overtime is no more acceptable to both workers and contractors. It is recommended that work shift should be a better alternative of getting work done and still meet the time schedule stipulated in the contract documents.
GDP of construction sector may continue to be low if company performance is not improved upon. The study therefore recommends that the stakeholders in the industry should identify factors responsible for poor company performance and take corrective measures. This will boost company performance rating and improve the GDP of the sector.
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