Factors affecting the productivity of building craftsmen ‐ studies of Uganda

Abstract

Poor productivity of construction workers is one of the causes of cost and time overruns in construction projects. The productivity of labour is particularly important especially in developing countries, where most of the building construction work is still on manual basis. This paper reports on a survey made on project managers of building projects in Uganda, where an increase in productivity is being sought. Respondents were required to rate using their experience how 36 factors affect productivity with respect to time, cost and quality. The survey was carried out by a questionnaire and responses received over a period of 3 months. The ten most significant problems affecting labour productivity were identified as incompetent supervisors; lack of skills from the workers; rework; lack of tools/equipment; poor construction methods; poor communication; inaccurate drawings; stoppages because of work being rejected by consultants; political insecurity; tools/equipment breakdown; and harsh weather conditions. Although lack of materials is ranked highest with regard to average rating on loss of time, it was not ranked among the top ten using the importance index that takes into account time, cost as well as work quality. The policy makers and researchers should focus on the identified major factors in order to improve productivity.

Santrauka

Menkas statybos imoniu darbininku darbo našumas yra viena iš priežasčiu, lemiančiu statybos projektu pinigu ir laiko nuostolius. Darbo jegos našumas yra ypač svarbus besivystančiose šalyse, kur dauguma statybos darbu atliekama rankomis. Šiame straipsnyje pateikiama pastatu projektu darbu vadovu apklausa Ugandoje, kur ypač siekiama didinti darbininku našuma. Respondentu buvo prašoma, naudojantis savo patirtimi, pateikti 36 veiksnius, kurie lemia našuma atsižvelgiant i laika, išlaidas bei kokybe. Ši apklausa buvo daroma anketomis, ir visi atsakymai buvo gauti per 3 menesius. Buvo išskirta dešimt pagrindiniu veiksniu, lemiančiu darbo jegos našuma, t. y. nekompetentingas vadovavimas, darbininku igūdžiu stoka, klaidu taisymas, irankiu (irangos) trūkumas, pasene statybos metodai, bloga informacijos perdavimo sistema, netikslūs brežiniai, darbu stabdymas del konsultantu, politinis nesaugumas, irankiu (irangos) gedimas, prastos oro salygos. Nors medžiagu stoka yra vienas iš labiausiai gaišati lemiančiu veiksniu, tačiau, naudojant reikšmingumo indeksa, i kuri ieina laikas, išlaidos bei darbo kokybe, tarp dešimties išvardytu veiksniu nepateko. Politikai ir mokslininkai turetu daugiau demesio skirti nustatytiems veiksniams, kad geretu statyboje dirbančiu darbininku darbo našumas.

Keywords:

• labour
• productivity
• factors
• developing countries
• building sector
• craftsmen

Reikšminiai žodžiai::

• darbo jega
• našumas
• veiksniai
• besivystančios šalys
• statybos sektorius
• darbininkas