The effect of management control on labour productivity of labour intensive works in Ghana

In Ghana, many construction projects end in dispute, because contractors are unable to meet the completion time. As many construction operations are labour intensive, the question of labour productivity becomes paramount, especially as higher productivity levels usually translate into superior profitability, competitiveness, and income. This article aims to examine the management control factors affecting construction labour productivity in Ghanaian construction firms. It assesses the measuring techniques that are used to improve labour productivity in the construction firms. The article also determines the relationship between management control and labour productivity on labour-intensive works in Ghanaian construction firms. The study adopted a quantitative research design that used a questionnaire-based descriptive survey. Records available at the Ghana Social Opportunity Project (GSOP) indicate that 920 professionals are involved in labour-intensive works on road infrastructure. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 districts involved in road construction projects; 560 respondents were considered for the study. The summary of the data consisted of means, standard deviations, percentages, cross-tabulations, and frequencies. Principal axis factor analysis revealed three (3) components with eigenvalues above 1 that may influence labour productivity of labour-intensive works on road construction. These components are effective communication, supervision technique, and design inadequacies. Construction managers must monitor workforce performance by ensuring that the three factors influencing management control are considered.&nbsp

5TH applied research conference in Africa

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstrac

The effect of management control on labour productivity of labour-intensive works in Ghana

In Ghana, many construction projects end in dispute, because contractors are unable to meet the completion time. As many construction operations are labour intensive, the question of labour productivity becomes paramount, especially as higher productivity levels usually translate into superior profitability, competitiveness, and income. This article aims to examine the management control factors affecting construction labour productivity in Ghanaian construction firms. It assesses the measuring techniques that are used to improve labour productivity in the construction firms. The article also determines the relationship between management control and labour productivity on labour-intensive works in Ghanaian construction firms. The study adopted a quantitative research design that used a questionnaire-based descriptive survey. Records available at the Ghana Social Opportunity Project (GSOP) indicate that 920 professionals are involved in labour-intensive works on road infrastructure. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 districts involved in road construction projects; 560 respondents were considered for the study. The summary of the data consisted of means, standard deviations, percentages, cross-tabulations, and frequencies. Principal axis factor analysis revealed three (3) components with eigenvalues above 1 that may influence labour productivity of labour-intensive works on road construction. These components are effective communication, supervision technique, and design inadequacies. Construction managers must monitor workforce performance by ensuring that the three factors influencing management control are considered

Optimisation of labour-intensive productivity for construction projects in Ghana

The construction industry in Ghana is labour-intensive and relies heavily on the skills of its workforce. No coordinated policy framework has been implemented or developed to guide and mainstream the application of labour-intensive methods in Ghana’s development process. The aim of this article is to develop a framework for optimising labour-intensive productivity for construction work. The article adopted a quantitative research design, using a questionnaire survey to determine the factors influencing labour-intensive productivity in the Ghanaian construction industry. Records available at the Ghana Social Opportunity Project (GSOP) indicate that there are 920 professionals involved in labour-intensive works on road infrastructure. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 districts that were into road construction projects; from these, 560 respondents were considered. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for the data analysis. Principal axis factor analysis revealed six components in the three labour-productivity categories with eigenvalues above 1 that may influence the optimisation of labour-intensive productivity for construction projects in Ghana. These comprise equipment and tools, material and temperature. Optimising labour-intensive productivity in construction works requires the involvement of all stakeholders, including project managers, workers, suppliers, and subcontractors. By implementing the six components in the proposed labour productivity framework, construction projects can achieve increased productivity, cost savings, and improved outcomes. The framework may help policymakers in the construction industry review the existing national policies that are geared towards helping indigenous firms in improving productivity in the construction industry

Performance Improvement of Construction Workers to Achieve Better Productivity for Labour-Intensive Works

This paper develops techniques to improve labour productivity in the construction industry and determine the level of labour productivity in the Ghanaian construction industry. The goal of this study was to develop a framework for determining the optimal productivity of construction workers for labour-intensive projects. There were three main objectives of this study: to identify factors that influence construction labour productivity in Ghana, to determine techniques used to improve construction labour productivity, and to develop a comprehensive framework for improving construction labour productivity in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research design that used a questionnaire. Since the country has been divided into zones, a stratified sampling technique was used based on the diverse nature of the population. Meanwhile, since the district offices were not all handling road construction projects, a purposive sampling technique was used to select 40 districts that were involved in road construction projects. A total of 560 respondents were sampled for the study. The data obtained from the study were analysed and are presented in tables and diagrams. The following factors played a significant role: the age of beneficiaries, the knowledge of beneficiaries, compliance with safety regulations, and the motivation of beneficiaries. Growing a project’s beneficiary base has been observed by many sites to be associated with a decrease in overall labour productivity (due to the overcrowding of workers). Recruiting new members should be conducted cautiously, as the government plans to use this medium to benefit the impoverished in the region. Construction workers can use this information to aid in firm decision-making. For planning purposes, this research can also be used as a useful tool for utilizing labour-intensive methods to increase productivity and meet contract deadlines by finishing a task as anticipated