| As the major player executing construction processes and activities, craft workers have an important impact on construction productivity. Craft workers are certainly in the ideal position to know where and how much of a site's productivity is lost or gained at the work face. Nevertheless, craft workers' input and their perception of the factors that influence their ability to be productive has rarely been sought by either practitioner and researchers in the construction industry.; This research study craft workers' view of construction labor productivity. Specifically, this research examines the factors affecting craft workers' ability to be productive and the underlying structure of these factors. First, focus group sessions were conducted on nine jobsites throughout the U.S. with craft workers and their immediate supervisors to identify the factors affecting construction productivity. Next, a nation wide survey were administered to nearly 2,000 craft workers and their immediate supervisors to identify the relative magnitude of the factors' impact on construction labor productivity and to also solicit their suggestions on how to resolve these factors. Through descriptive and ANOVA analyses, it is found that the most significant factors are consistently associated with construction equipment, engineering drawings, tools and consumables, and materials. The research also finds that the factors affecting construction productivity are related to each other. A systematic approach need be employed to examine the factors affecting construction labor productivity in order to improve construction productivity efficiently and effectively. A total of 10 latent factors are identified to represent the relationship among the factors affecting construction labor productivity as Construction Equipment Factors, Material Factors, Tool and Consumable Factors, Engineering Drawing Management Factors, Direction and Coordination Factors, Project Management Factors, Training Factors, Craft Worker Factors, Superintendent Competency Factors, and Foreman Competency Factors. Regression analyses further recognize Construction Equipment Factors, Project Management Factors and Craft Worker Factors having the greatest possibility to improve construction productivity based on craft workers' perception. Finally, a prototype system is proposed to assist project management in planning and managing the factors by engaging craft workers.; Keywords. Construction, Productivity, Workforce, Construction Site, Factor Analysis... |
