Productivity has always been noted as one of the most important factors
affecting the success and overall performance of every organisation and the role of
management in this matter cannot be overemphasised. This study assesses and compares
the relative effects of management-related factors on construction labour productivity in
Cross River State of Nigeria from the perspectives of building craftsmen and project
supervisors/engineers. A survey research design approach was adopted which involved a
stratified random sample of 115 building craftsmen and 60 project supervisors/engineers.
Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using Mean Item
Score and Spearman Rank Correlation test. The result shows that there is significant
correlation between building craftsmen’ and project supervisors’/engineers’ perceptions
of the relative effects of management-related factors on construction labour productivity
(p = 0.001 > 0.05). In addition, the selected project team members ranked ‘material
management’, ‘quality of site management’, ‘lack of financial motivation system’,
‘supervision’, ‘crew size and efficiency’ and ‘firm reputation’ as the first five significant
management-related factors affecting construction labour productivity respectively. The
last two factors tie rank in the fifth position. It is concluded that there is need for
improved management practices in underdeveloped and developing countries of the
world to enhance productivity on construction sites. The study therefore, recommends
that construction managers should formulate policies incorporating significant
management-related factors affecting construction labour productivity as part of
productivity improvement strategies on construction sites.
Keywords: Construction, craftsmen, effects, factors, labour, management, productivity.