Investigation Into the Issue Confronting Women Participation in Building Construction Industry

Investigation Into the Issue Confronting Women Participation in Building Construction Industry

CHAPTER ONE

Objectives of the Study

The study was guided by the following objectives:

To establish economic factors that affect participation of women in building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.
To determine social cultural factors contributing to participation of women in building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.
To assess the influence of societal factors and participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.
To establish the influence of attitude on the participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.
To examine the influence of demographic factors on the participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction

This chapter provides an extensive literature and research related to determine of women participation in the construction industry with special reference to Central Division Rivers state. This literature review summarizes a diverse spectrum of views about institutional determinants as well as the challenges facing women in the building and construction industry. The chapter was thus structured into theoretical, conceptual and empirical review. The study also presented the knowledge gap the chapter seeks to fulfill.

Participation of Women in the Building and Construction Industry

Women are seriously underrepresented in the construction sector in the European Union even though their representation in other sectors of the economy has increased (Byrne et al., 2005 cited in Haupt and Fester, 2012). In South Africa, women represent only 20 per cent of architects, 12 per cent of quantity surveyors, 2 per cent of civil engineers, 3 per cent of construction Building and construction managers and 0.6 per cent of construction managers (Worrall et al., 2010). In Cuba, published statistics show women’s employment in construction at 20.3 per cent of the workforce (Ramirez, 2004), and it is increasing rapidly (Fortune, 2010). Family-friendly practices were not evident in the Australian construction industry (Haupt & Fester, 2012). In a survey conducted in Thai construction industry, it was studied that women engineers in contractor companies were much more affected by problems such as sexual harassment, work-life conflicts and equal opportunity than women engineers in non-contractor companies (Kaewsri & Tongthong, 2011).

In India, 50% of workforce in construction industry is women (Government of India, 2008), but only about 1.4% are engineers, architects, designers and administrators (Chittibabu, 2007), rest work as construction labour. In a longitudinal study conducted in India, findings were: During last decade of 20th century there was a significant drop in preference for civil engineering and electrical engineering; Women engineers strongly perceive that they do not get what they deserve in terms of jobs, promotions, salaries as well as professional recognition; ‘Unsatisfactory work opportunities and environment’ is perceived as the most important factor affecting their career (Parikh & Sukhatme, 2004). The under-representation of women at senior levels is attributed to several structural and attitudinal barriers which may be gender-centred or organization-centred (Fernando et al., 2014) and reflects the phenomenon of glass ceiling (Gurjao, 2006).

Women who choose careers in non-traditional occupations such as the construction industry have to face many challenges in order to enter and retain in the industry. The forgoing section discusses the major barriers faced by construction women in terms of entry, career development and retention. Mainly the male dominated image and culture of the construction industry strongly deter women from entering it. Fielden et al (2000) identified with this, citing the industry’s poor image as a reason why so many people, regardless of gender, are uninterested in a career in construction. Research by Turrell et al (2003) found that little had changed in the industry with regards to the perceived image; a third of both female and male college students had a negative view of the industry, considering it to be ‘no place for women’: “women and girls feel that men in the sector may have hostility towards them and that they would be entering ‘a man’s world”.

The lack of career knowledge discussed earlier is another major barrier that will prevent women from considering a career in construction. The decision as to whether to select a career in the construction industry must be informed prior to leaving school, particularly by those who intend to be a construction professional in the future. The more that school students know about the construction industry, the more likely they are to consider, and potentially select a career in a related profession. Career opportunities must be communicated to school students. Further, it is important to educate parents, teachers and career advisors with the knowledge on professional roles and careers opportunities for women in construction, as they have a significant influence on career selection.

Women in the construction industry could be categorized in three groups: Women working in professional/technical positions; Women in administrative positions; and Women as construction labour working at sites (Ahuja & Kumari, 2012). It is rare to find women contractors and site engineers in the construction sector in India, though there are women architects and designers. Negligible presence of women in construction industry has attracted both government and industry players’ attention with focus on studying the issues leading to less participation of women in the sector and in finding ways to resolve these issues (Ahuja & Kumari, 2013). But, in India studies are primarily conducted pertaining to the women of the third group construction workers or labor which are large in number.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter presents the procedures and techniques that were used in the collection, processing and analysis of data. Specifically, the following subsections were included; research design, target population and sampling, data collection instruments, data collection procedures and finally data analysis.

Research Design

The study adopted a descriptive research design. A descriptive design is concerned with determining the frequency with which something occurs or the relationship between variables (Bryman & Bell, 2011). Thus, this approach is suitable for this study, since the study intends to collect comprehensive information through descriptions which was helpful for identifying variables. Bryman and Bell (2011) assert that a descriptive design seeks to get information that describes existing phenomena by asking questions relating to individual perceptions and attitudes.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS

Introduction

This chapter discusses the findings obtained from the primary instrument used in the study. It discusses the characteristics of the respondents, their opinions on the issue confronting women participation in the construction industry with special reference to Central Division Rivers state. In order to simplify the discussions, the researcher provided tables that summarized the collective reactions of the respondents.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction

This chapter presents the discussion of key data findings, conclusion drawn from the findings highlighted and recommendation made there-to. The conclusions and recommendations drawn are focused on addressing the objective of the study.

Summary of the Findings

Economic Factors

The study sought to establish economic factors that affect participation of women in building and construction industry. The study found that economic factors influence women participation in building and construction industry greatly. The findings indicated that women dependency as well as occupation greatly affects women participation in building and construction industry. The study further indicated that financial instability greatly affects women participation in building and construction industry while land inheritance was found to lowly affect women participation in building and construction industry.

Social Cultural Factors

The study sought to determine social cultural factors contributing to participation of women in building and construction industry. The study found that social cultural factors greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry. The study found that discrimination in appointments, religious beliefs as well as Family responsibilities greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry. The study further found traditional customs of local people greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry while gender stereotype factors moderately affect women participation in building and construction industry.

Societal Factors

The study further sought to assesses the influence of societal factors on participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state. The study found that societal factors affect participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent. The study also found that family setup, Illiteracy and child rearing practices influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent and level of motivation was found to influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a moderate extent

Women’s Attitude

The study sought to establish the influence of attitude on the participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state. The study found that women attitude greatly influences their participation in building and construction industry. Further it was revealed that interests, connection with constituents, interests, connection with constituents, personal pressures of parliamentary Institutional life pressures and capacity to deal with power influence women participation in building and construction industry in a great extent but strategic positioning was found to influence women participation in building and construction industry in a low extent.

Demographic Factors

The study further sought to assesses the influence of demographic factors on participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state. The study found that demographic factors influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent. It was revealed that level of education, age, accessibility to information Training in projects and marital status influence women participation in building and construction industry in a great extent. The study also found that level of education influence women participation in building and construction industry in a low extent.

Discussion of the Findings

The findings under this were linked to the literature in chapter to ascertain how the findings for this study are related to the findings of other scholars.

Economic Factors

The study sought to establish economic factors that affect participation of women in building and construction industry. The study found that economic factors influence women participation in building and construction industry greatly. This is in line with Odinga (1967) who argue that formal education was also mostly available to men, which meant that the majority of women remained illiterate and, therefore, could not participate in modern economic transactions.

The findings indicated that women dependency as well as occupation greatly affects women participation in building and construction industry. The study further indicated that financial instability greatly affects women participation in building and construction industry while land inheritance was found to lowly affect women participation in building and construction industry. These findings were in agreement with Mahbub (2000) who noted that women often have fewer opportunities than men to gain access to credit for various reasons, including lack of collateral, an unwillingness to accept household assets as collateral and negative perceptions of female entrepreneurs by loan officers.

Social Cultural Factors

The study found that discrimination in appointments, religious beliefs as well as women’s knowledge and insight greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry. The study further found traditional customs of local people greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry while gender stereotype factors moderately affect women participation in building and construction industry. This concurs with Mutongu (2013) who noted that it is very common to see external influence expressed in building and construction industry especially in community leaders such as Chief’s, Assistant Chief’s or even sometime religion leaders have special interest when powers struggle crops up women tend to withdraw and even weaken their power to influence decision making.

Societal Factors

The study found that societal factors affect participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent. This is in line with Hein and Cassirer (2009) who argue that quality leadership presented by women is high since they understand society social issues, since women bear the heavy burden of managing family problems. The experience argument tends to treat women as a homogenous group without acknowledging the economic, social and cultural diversity among them.

The study also found that family setup, Illiteracy and child rearing practices influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent and level of motivation was found to influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a moderate extent. This concurs with McDermott (2002) who argue that women’s efforts are often invisible, remaining hidden due to cultural constraints, yet some, especially in the north and west, are open and confident. Some efforts are composed solely of women who deliberately distance themselves from men and the social systems they represent. In Colombia, despite the fact that as many as 30 per cent of the fighters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are women, only one woman, Marian Paez, was included among its representatives of official negotiations with the government.

Women’s Attitude

The study found that women attitude greatly influences their participation in building and construction industry. Further it was revealed that interests, connection with constituents, interests, connection with constituents, personal pressures of parliamentary Institutional life pressures and capacity to deal with power influence women participation in building and construction industry in a great extent but strategic positioning was found to influence women participation in building and construction industry in a low extent. This agrees with Naser et al. (2009) who notes that women to uphold the promise their Effective skills and knowledge in handling and understanding society social issues women, skills and knowledge of campaigning in a male dominated society, the women capacity to deal with power strategic positioning in political parties is a big challenge that is facing women in the political career, capacity to deal with power, strategic positioning in political position

Demographic Factors

The study found that demographic factors influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state in a great extent. It was revealed that level of education, age, accessibility to information Training in projects and marital status influence women participation in building and construction industry in a great extent. The study also found that level of education influence women participation in building and construction industry in a low extent. These findings correlate with Mutongu (2013) who notes that construction is a labour intensive as well as craft-based activity and the behaviour of people has an enormous influence upon the organization and performance of construction firms. Sustainable development of construction industry has to concentrate not only on sustainable building technologies and construction materials but also on respectful and considerate labour management strategies.

Conclusion

The study concluded that economic factors influence women participation in building and construction industry greatly and significantly. The findings deduced that women dependency as well as financial instability greatly affects women participation in building and construction industry while land inheritance was found to lowly affect women participation in building and construction industry.

The study concluded that social cultural factors greatly and positively affect women participation in building and construction industry. The study deduced that discrimination in appointments, religious beliefs traditional customs of local people greatly affect women participation in building and construction industry while gender stereotype factors moderately affect women participation in building and construction industry.

The study further concluded societal factors affect participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state significantly and positively. This was attributed to the great effect of family setup, Illiteracy and child rearing practices on participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state.

The study also concluded that women attitude greatly influences their participation in building and construction industry positively and significantly.

This as a result of the fact that interests, connection with constituents, interests, connection with constituents, personal pressures of parliamentary Institutional life pressures and capacity to deal with power were found to influence women participation in building and construction industry greatly.

The study further concluded that demographic factors influence participation of women in the building and construction industry in Central Division Rivers state significantly. It was revealed that level of education, age, accessibility to information Training in projects and marital status influence women participation in building and construction industry greatly.

Recommendations

The study recommends that the Government of Nigeria should promote women participation in building and construction industry through enacting laws that specifically address women participation in building and construction industry.

The study recommends that the families should continue supporting women initiatives to be part of buildings and construction industry and also respond positively to the women proposal to participate directly or indirectly in the buildings and construction activities. This is likely to encourage more women to participate in the buildings and construction industry.

The study recommends that the local communities should also embrace women’s effort to participate in the in building and construction industry at the community level by giving women a chance to be selected as workers and also building and construction project managers. This will encourage many women to have an incentive to participate more in building and construction industry.

The study recommends that the worldwide, the top management should allow more women taking up decision making positions in political, economic and social spheres of life. The building and construction industry in Nigeria particularly, should encourage women taking up positions in the higher rungs of management as women’s participation in leadership is important to a country’s economic growth.

The study recommends that the government should Support women in learning, questioning, understanding and challenging the suppression they experience empowers them, but only partially since the empowerment of women through literacy learning is only one important part of the encouragement to participate more in the building and construction industry.

The study recommends that there is a need for interpersonal relationships within the workplace to act as a limiting factor to women participation in decision making in the hotel industry. The workplace is a communication and interaction based industry. These relationships (either developed or developing) can be problematic or positive.

The study recommends that top management to protect women at the working places. Commonly, some women go through harassment, discrimination, biased opinions and other derogatory experiences. These experiences have a significant effect on decision making by women in the building and construction industry because they instill fear to those affected who may choose to keep quiet to safeguard their position in the industry.

Finally, this study recommends that women should be more aggressive and assertive in their roles in the hotel industry so as to compete with their male counterparts. Women should be asking or promotions directly from their managers to enable them rise up the career ladder in the building and construction industry. Moreover, it is important that women build on their self-esteem and confidence levels so as to avoid intimidation in the workplaces.

Recommendations for Further Research

A similar study should also be done on other counties since level and issue confronting women participation in building and construction varies in different counties. Further, another study should be done to investigate the role of the government in improving the working conditions of women in the building and construction industry.

Far from the building and construction industry, another study needs to be done on factors influencing women participation in the implementation of peace building strategies and on factors influencing the level of women participation, in community development projects.

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