Evaluation of plastering crew performance in building projects using data envelopment analysis

Abstract

The research question addressed in this study was how the performance of construction crews working in a certain project or locality could be evaluated, ranked and improved. To develop and demonstrate the relevant framework, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied to establish the relative efficiency of plastering crews working in building projects located in different cities around Turkey. Data were collected from 40 crews of varying characteristics, and their technical efficiency scores were computed using the Banker, Charnes and Cooper (BCC) model, which is based on variable returns-to-scale (VRS). The model yields efficiency scores that range between 0 and 1, and a company or crew is considered efficient if its score is 1.0 (100%). Efficient and inefficient crews were identified and ranked on this basis in the study. Cross tabulation analyses were subsequently conducted to gain further insights into the relationships between the efficiency scores and input factors of numbers of skilled and unskilled laborers, daily labor unit costs, work hours, average age of crew members, total crew experience, plastering location, plastering technique, and plaster type. No discernible relationship could be identified between the efficiency scores and productivity outputs of the crews. It was found that plastering technique, plastering location, and total crew experience had a significant association with crew efficiency. Efficiency improvement strategies identified included training, hiring experienced plasterers, adopting more advanced plastering technology, implementing better jobsite management practices, and enhancing workers’ knowledge, skills and attitude towards productivity and quality.

Keywords:

• plasterer crew efficiency
• data envelopment analysis
• BCC model
• cross tabulation analysis
• performance improvement

JEL Classification:

• C67
• C81
• D24
• L25

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ibrahim Halil Gerek

Ibrahim Halil GEREK is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the Engineering and Natural Science Faculty at Adana Science and Technology University. He is a member of Chamber of Civil Engineers of Turkey, and is also actively involved in construction management areas. He received his MS and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering at the Cukurova University between 2001 and 2010 years, respectively.

Ercan Erdis

Ercan ERDIS is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering at Mustafa Kemal University. He is a member of Chamber of Civil Engineers of Turkey, and is also actively involved in construction management areas. He received his MS and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering at the Mustafa Kemal University in 2001 and Cukurova University in 2004, respectively.

Gulgun Mistikoglu

Gulgun MISTIKOGLU is an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the Antakya Vocational College at Mustafa Kemal University. He is a member of Chamber of Civil Engineers of Turkey, and is also actively involved in construction management areas. He received his MS and PhD degrees in Civil Engineering at the Cukurova University between 1987 and 2001 years, respectively.

Mumtaz A. Usmen

Mumtaz A. USMEN is currently a Professor of the College of Engineering at Wayne State University. He served as Interim Dean and Chairman of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Wayne State University from 1989 to 2009. Prior to coming to Wayne State, he was a Professor of Civil Engineering at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, where he established and directed a NIOSH sponsored Center for Excellence on Construction Safety. He specializes in construction engineering and management with a focus on site safety, quality, ethics, leadership, and organizational improvement.