International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)

Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2017, pp. 340348, Article ID: IJCIET_08_01_038

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
IAEME Publication

ASSESEMENT ON FACTORS DECLINING

LABOUR PRODUCTIVTY IN CONSTRUCTION
PROJECTS
Achuth Kumar N.V
M. Tech Student Civil Engineering Department,
K L University, Vaddeswaram 522 502 (A.P)

SS.Asadi
Associate Dean-Academics, Civil Engineering Department,
K L University, Vaddeswaram - 522 502 (A.P)

ABSTRACT
Objective: Identifying the factors which are affecting the labour productivity and
leading to its decline. Defining the major causing factors which minimize 80% of maximum
damage done to decline the labour productivity. Methodology: Survey is conducted and
data collected through questionnaire followed by reliability test, ranking and Pareto
analysis, Pareto analysis is done to indicate the factors which can minimize the damage
about 80%. Findings: Results reveals that Cronbach coefficient value 0.7-0.8 which proves
that collected data is consistent, factors lack of skilled labour with RII value 0.92, improper
planning with RII value 0.83 and malfunctioning of equipment with RII value 0.78 are
major that would affect the labour productivity and Pareto analysis shows that factors from
efficiency related, management related and technical related are main in declining labour
productivity in Indian scenario construction projects. Novelty/Improvement: Decline in
labour productivity is concern for resource management which is critical in execution of
construction projects. Efficiency and technical related factors proves to be critical in
declining the productivity on job site.
Key words: Construction Management, Labour Productivity, Pareto Analysis,
Management Strategies.
Cite this Article: Achuth Kumar N.V and SS.Asadi, Assesement On Factors Declining
Labour Productivity In Construction Projects. International Journal of Civil Engineering
and Technology, 8(1), 2017, pp. 340348.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=8&IType=1

1. INTRODUCTION
Construction workmen are trade men, labourer or professional employed at the execution of
construction of built environment and its concern infrastructure developlement. Basic Labour
productivity in construction is taken as work done per man hour with concern activity. The
productivity is main achieving the goals which are established in completing the project, but in
recent years the productivity which are produced by labour has been declined for so many reasons

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 Assesement On Factors Declining Labour Productivity In Construction Projects

may due size of work, resource availability, economical conditions of organization and as well as
labour who is involved with organization and some miscellaneous reasons.
Labour characteristics: To analysing the declination of production rate of labour we go to roots
of the production of labour about their characteristics, the basic characteristics of labour are age
factor which they are governed with, skills produced by labour, experiences of labour and
leadership qualities of labour1.
Productivity can be measured by various methods by various ways through management by
objectives, measuring productivity quantitatively, 360 degree feedback, measuring sales
productivity, service productivity, time management productivity, productivity by profit2.
To analysis the defects for low labour productivity, primarily we have to measure productivity
which was produced by labour involved in execution of construction .There can taken necessary
steps to improve the labour productivity through few maturing techniques and also reveals concept
about basic definitions and productivity improving techniques by considering two case studies and
providing information through techniques like project management index, covariance coefficient,
project performance and indentifying the factors affecting the productivity3. states that labour
productivity declination was due to many factors which are many departments, so survey was
conducted in and around Nairobi and results reveals that lack of skilled labour 90% was top among
12 factors and also provided management strategies like training ,mentoring, work measurement,
outsourcing and supply crew size to improve the labour productivity4. states that jobsite
productivity is mainly based on labour, they are many factors which affect the productivity among
those the factors are subdivided into project related factors, labour related factors, resource related
factors, efficiency related factors, and management related factors, survey is conducted among
industrial experience people and stated that among increase in price of materials is major factors
which affect the productivity5. that their many categories in factors affecting the labour
productivity they are taken into analytical hierarchy process model taking psychological,
experience, physical, time and work load, supervision and leadership, external and proves that job
satisfaction, job security, lack of incentives, skill and experience and drug use and work load plays
major role in affecting the labour productivity6. There are many factors affecting the labour
productivity and study is followed analysing the data through reliability test factor analysis,
regression analysis and few other tests gives results that planning is major factor that would affect
the productivity followed by material availability. The labour which are involved in the
construction tends to be older persons and sometimes the productivity which is produced by them
might be less as compared to the estimated due various reasons the major would be grouped into
external related factors such as socio economic factors and physical factors relating to their living
standards and policies relating to socioeconomic and living conditions of the labour7. The
manpower relating to the construction activities is largely influenced by the labour involved and
those parameters are influenced by the migration of the labour from other countries and respective
states especially these can witnessed in the Kazakhstan which on improving the global labour
market. Large migration can affect the national labour market and leads to encouraging the illegal
migration of the labour into the nation. These can be reduced by improving the international legal
regulation of labour migrants and streamlining the export based manpower aboard and
implementation of norms of the labour relation laws and rights of labour and also by improving
the knowledge of the labour on the Labour Relations Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan8.
Labour related factors (2,3,4,6): No job security, lack of general utilities, low wages, truancy of
work by labour, Disputes among labour.
Technical related (2,3,4,6): Poor planning, delay due to numerical errors, rework due to design
faults.

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 Achuth Kumar N.V and SS.Asadi

Management related (2,3,4,6): less crew size, economical condition, not providing incentive
scheme, poor communication between parities, work load.
Efficiency related (2,3,4,6): Incompetent staff, lack of experience supervisors, lack of skilled
labour, malfunction of machinery.
External related (2,3,4,6,8): weather conditions, safety violations, social environment .

2. METHODOLOGY
2.1. QUESTIONAIR SURVEY: A questionnaire survey was conducted with factors from
different aspects which affect the labour productivity they are labour related, technical related,
management related, efficiency related, external, and survey conducted with opinions from
industrial experience persons and rate the factor in the scale of 1-5(2,3,4,6).
1=very poor, 2=poor, 3=neutral, 4=strong, 5= very strong. Factors are considered 5 from labour
related,3 from technical related,5 from management related,4 from efficiency related,3 from
external factors.

2.2. RELIABILITY METHOD

Test is conducted to prove that collected data is reliable (2,3,4,6) for further studies and know its
degree of consistency. The Cronbach coefficient value shows that data consistency in concern
field. The coefficient values which are considered are mentioned below. If alpha value is greater
than 0.7, the data which is collected is Considered as acceptable for further analysis mentioned in
table 1

Table 1 Details of Cronbach coefficient values for reliability test

Cronbach value consideration
>0.9 Represents Excellent
>0.8 Represents Good
>0.7 Represent Acceptable
>0.6 Represent Questionable
>0.5 Represents Poor
<0.4 Represents Unacceptable

2.3. RANKING METHOD

The relative importance index method RII (2,3,4.5,6) was used to determine that industrial persons
opinion of the relative importance to the identified management factor which may affect the labour
productivity. Using this formula the major significant factors was identified. The RII was
computed as,
RII= W A* N...equation 1
Where,
RII - Relative Importance Index,
W = weighting given to each factor by the respondents (ranging from 0 to4) A = highest weight
(i.e. 4)
N = total number of respondents.

2.4. PARETO ANALYSIS

Pareto analysis is a useful technique in the area where factors are acting in as complex nature. It
estimates the benefits which are going to get on action which is to taken on factors and selects

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 Assesement On Factors Declining Labour Productivity In Construction Projects

those factors which would max benefit if action is taken on those factors in getting the benefit in
maximum closely range .Pareto analysis is a better way of analyzing at root causes of problems,
because it helps in improving thinking and structuring the thoughts in getting results. However, it is
limited by its exclusion of possibly important problems which may be small initially, but will
improve with time. This technique helps to identify the top factors which are needed to be
considered to minimize the maximum of problems. Once the major causes are identified,
identified then tools
are used to identify the root causes of the problems. Pareto says that "80/20" rule, under the
assumption that, in all situations, 20% of causes determine 80% of problems7.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

SIONS
3.1. DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS Survey (2,3,4,6) was conducted with preferred questionnaire
consisting of factors from 5 different aspects namely labour, management, and efficiency,
technical, external which will affect labour productivity. Totally 30 response was received out of
42 which are received
ived manually and through mails
As per mentioned in figure 1 a total of 30 respondents out of which 13 are project managers
holding a 43% major in participation in the survey, and remaining4 where AEE,2 are EE,3 are
senior engineers,2 are asst project manager,4
manager,4 are general manager,2 are asst general managers.

Figure 1 Details of respondents for demographic analysis

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 Achuth Kumar N.V and SS.Asadi

Table 2 Experience of respondents in demographic analysis

Serial NO EXPERIENCE IN YEARS NO OF RESPONDENT

1 0 - 10Y 2
2 10Y - 15Y 8
3 15Y - 20Y 7
4 20Y 16
TOTAL 33
Respondents who are involved in survey has a vast experience in construction sector, according
to the table 2 mentioned response who has major 13 persons out of 30 holding 43% having
experience above 20 years and 2nd having 8 out of 30 holding 27% having experience 10-15 years,
rd th
3 having 7 out of 30 holding 23% having experience 15-20 years and 4 least 2 out of 30 holding
7% having experience 0-10 years.
3.2. REABILITY TEST: Total 20 factors are considered as variables and reliability test is
conducted in SPSS software 20 mentioned. Data from each component of questionnaire were
tested for its Cronbach value. To ensure that the collected data are valid and reliable for analysis
(2,3,4,6). Table 3 shows values of Cronbach in each category of the questionnaire data. The alpha
values vary from of 0.70 to 0.80. This shows that data collected was acceptable and acknowledged
as good. Thus, the reliability of collected data is assured. Certainly, this shows that the
questionnaire data which is collected are valid and reliable.

Table 3 Cronbach coefficient values of reliability test

Component of data collected Cronbach value

Labour related 0.73
Management related 0.76
Efficiency related 0.75
Technical related 0.72
External related 0.76

3.3. RANKING METHOD

Management factors as shown in table 4 which are driven from 5 category related factors, totally
holding with 20 factors and to rank these factors RII was used and computed in Microsoft excel
which are considered to be critical in ranking the factors which are causes for declination of labour
productivity (2,3,4,6).
As mentioned in table 4 the lack of skilled labour is major factor in declination 0f labour
productivity with RII value 0.92 which are driven from efficiency related factors , reason is time
completion of concern activity is increased due to less skill and knowledge and may lead repetitive
nd
corrections and wastage of resources,2 position was improper work schedule with RII value
0.833 from technical related factors because of which completion time of previous is not done and
resource allocation to concern activity is not provided at time due to which productivity can
rd
reduced,3 position was malfunctioning of machinery with RII value 0.786 which to which time
consumption of required activity get delayed or even postponed due to sudden breakdown of
machine involved in activity and resource allocated to concern activity can be wasted and
scheduled work gets disturbed which lead to critical path of activities and rest are shown in table 4

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 Assesement On Factors Declining Labour Productivity In Construction Projects

Table 4 Ranking to factors affecting labour productivity

Rank Factors affecting labour productivity Weight RII
1 lack of skilled labour 138 0.92
2 Improper work schedule 125 0.833
3 Malfunctioning of equipment 118 0.786
4 lack of experienced supervisors 116 0.773
5 Economical conditions 116 0.773
6 Poor communication between sub contractor and contractor 116 0.773
7 Incompetent technical staff 110 0.773
8 Truancy of work from labour 110 0.773
9 Negligence in providing general utilities 108 0.72
10 Repetitive works due to design faults 108 0.72
11 Delay due to numerical errors in design drawings 106 0.706
12 Unsuitable weather conditions 100 0.666
13 less crew size compared to estimated manpower 98 0.653
14 low wages compared with living standards 92 0.613
15 Safety violations 92 0.613
16 Negligence in incentive scheme providing to them 83 0.553
17 No job security 73 0.486
18 Work load 62 0.266
19 Disputes among labour 40 0.26
20 Social environment 39 0.413

3.4. PARETO ANALYSIS

In order to regroup the disintegrated pattern of the factors obtained, Pareto analysis was applied.
The data collected through survey and ranking is provided to them earlier which was shown in
table 4 by taking those score in to consideration score percentage and cumulative percentage of
data are calculated which was shown in table 5.Pareto Analysis are shown in Table 5 and
illustrated in Figure 2 . The results of Pareto Analysis show that the first 14 factors contribute to
about 80% of the weight of all the factors7. These 14 factors can be considered as the most
important factors affecting labour productivity. Lack of skilled labour would be major about 7% ,
improper work schedule with 6%,malfunctioning of equipment in total contribution of 100% as
shown in figure 2.so to minimize the 80% of declination of labour productivity the primarily the 14
factors should be considered important and they should be nullified first to improve productivity .

Table 5 Details regarding to Pareto analysis for factors affecting productivity

Cumulative weight
Factors affecting labour productivity Weight Weight %
%
lack of skilled labour 138 7.07 7.07
Improper work schedule 125 6.41 13.48
Malfunctioning of equipment 118 6.05 19.53
lack of experienced supervisors 116 5.948 25.478
Economical conditions 116 5.948 31.426
Poor communication between sub contractor and contractor 116 5.948 37.374
Incompetent technical staff 110 5.641 43.015
Truancy of work from labour 110 5.641 48.656
Negligence in providing general utilities 108 5.538 54.194
Repetitive works due to design faults 108 5.538 59.732
Delay due to numerical errors in design drawings 106 5.435 65.167
Unsuitable weather conditions 100 5.128 70.295
less crew size compared to estimated manpower 98 5.025 75.32

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 Achuth Kumar N.V and SS.Asadi

Cumulative weight
Factors
actors affecting labour productivity Weight Weight %
%
low wages compared with living standards 92 4.717 80.037
Safety violations 92 4.717 84.754
Negligence
egligence in incentive scheme providing to them 83 4.256 89.01
No job security 73 3.743 92.753
Work load 62 3.179 95.932
Disputes among labour 40 2.051 97.983
Social environment 39 2.017 100

Figure 2 Details of Pareto analysis for factors affecting productivity

4. CASE STUDY
Case study was considered to show the declination of labour productivity in execution at job site.
The case study deals with housing complex with 5 construction buildings each building comprises
of 5 floors with completion period about 2 years and about 280 labour was utilised to both skilled
and unskilled per day.

4.1. COMPARISSION BETWEEN ACTUAL PRODUCTIVITY

PRODUCTIVITY AND
THERIOTICAL
HERIOTICAL PRODUCTIVITY
Basic definition of productivity is that work output for man-hour
man hour to concern activity, general the
labour productivity is calculated at job site conditionAs shown in figure 3 there are small variation
in the activities for brick work and 12 mm plastering done at construction due skilled workers are
utilised and also the transportation ofrequired
ofrequired material are given without any delay by any source
and there are no objections from technical client department
department regarding to drawings, but there is
more variation in productivity in the pouring of concrete activity regarding to activity concern with
above foundation, pouring done manually because of less efficient labourer where utilised and

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 Assesement On Factors Declining Labour Productivity In Construction Projects

vertical lifting iss major affect in decline in productivity as compared concrete pouring below
foundation level and mentioned in table 6.

Table 5 Details regarding to Pareto analysis for factors affecting productivity

Factors
actors affecting labour productivity Weight Weight % Cumulative
weight %
lack of skilled labour 138 7.07 7.07
Improper work schedule 125 6.41 13.48
Malfunctioning of equipment 118 6.05 19.53
lack of experienced supervisors 116 5.948 25.478
Economical conditions 116 5.948 31.426
Poor
oor communication between sub contractor and
116 5.948 37.374
contractor
Incompetent technical staff 110 5.641 43.015
Truancy of work from labour 110 5.641 48.656
Negligence
egligence in providing general utilities 108 5.538 54.194
Repetitive
epetitive works due to design faults 108 5.538 59.732
Delay
elay due to numerical errors in design drawings 106 5.435 65.167
Unsuitable weather conditions 100 5.128 70.295
less crew size compared to estimated manpower 98 5.025 75.32
low wages compared with living standards 92 4.717 80.037
Safety violations 92 4.717 84.754
Negligence
egligence in incentive scheme providing to them 83 4.256 89.01
No job security 73 3.743 92.753
Work load 62 3.179 95.932
Disputes among labour 40 2.051 97.983
Social environment 39 2.017 100

Figure 3 Comparison for labour productivity at site through case study

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 Achuth Kumar N.V and SS.Asadi

5. CONCULSIONS
A questionnaire survey is conducted with 20 factors from 5 different categories and 78 % is
achieved in return of 30 from 45 persons who had completed projects in overall country
The data which is collected had got reliability value from range 0.7 to 0.8 which is preferred as
highly reliable source and allowed for further analysis
Lack of skilled labour is major factor which would affect the labour productivity with 0.92 RII
value from technical related category
Improper work schedule is second among major factors affecting productivity with RII value
0.833 from technical related factors
Malfunctioning of equipment is 3rd position with RII value 0.786 which affecting Labour
productivity considered from efficiency related factors
Efficiency related, technical related and management related are critical in reducing the damage
about 80% in affecting the labour productivity
Pareto analysis is done among the 20 factors from 5 categories and results reveals that 14
factors shown in figure 2 are critical in minimizing the damage of labour Productivity about
80%

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