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Labour productivity motivation framework for Iskandar Malaysia

Chukwuka Christian Ohueri (Department of Civil Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia)
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma (Department of Civil Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia)
Ngie Hing Wong (Department of Civil Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia)
Kuok King Kuok (Department of Civil Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia)
Russell Kenley (Department of Management and Marketing, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia)

Built Environment Project and Asset Management

ISSN: 2044-124X

Article publication date: 24 May 2018

Issue publication date: 5 July 2018

1345

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22).

Findings

The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers.

Originality/value

The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.

Keywords

Citation

Ohueri, C.C., Enegbuma, W.I., Wong, N.H., Kuok, K.K. and Kenley, R. (2018), "Labour productivity motivation framework for Iskandar Malaysia", Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 293-304. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-09-2017-0070

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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