THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Construction labour plays a significant role in executing the project. Their ability to adapt to di- verse job site condition, problem solving skills, team work is crucial for overcoming challenges during construction. The purpose of this study is to determine the cause of low labour perfor- mance, effect of labour in project performance and to find the preventive methods to address the causes of low labour performance in building projects in Kathmandu Metropolitan, Nepal. This research is based on primary data, and the nature of the data is mixed research approach. In this research, all the population are considered as the sample size. As a result, there was no need of sample size calculation. 12 building projects in Kathmandu Metropolitan, Nepal were selected for carrying out the study. Questionnaires were distributed. Out of 125 questionnaires, 110 re- sponses were retrieved. Out of them 105 responses had reliable data. Interviews were carried out with representatives of clients, contractors and consultants through the google forms, emails and face to face interviews for exploring first and second objectives of the study. For key informants’ interview (KII), four key informants were selected and interviewed for suggesting measures to improve labour work performance. The main factor that causes low labour work performance were identified by studying various literatures. The current study aims to highlight the most causes of low labour work performance in building construction projects. These causes are classified into 27 major causes and then ques- tioned with representatives of clients, consultants and contractors i.e., project manager, senior engineer, architects, site engineer, safety engineer, office engineer, supervisor. The causes were put up for prioritizing rated on Likert-type scales. The data was then analysed using Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the causes of low labour work performance. The findings show that low wages of labour, vulnerability to safety and health care services on site, lack of sufficient skill acquisition centre, delay in supply of material and equipment in site and lack of standard salary scale of workers are the major causes of low labour work performance. To study the effects of labour, a hypothetical model was created and empirically tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The data was collected from questionnaires in likert scale format and analysed using Smart PLS. The findings revealed that unskilled labour has a significant negative impact on project performance (β= - 0.04, t=0.304 and viii p=0.761), whereas skilled labour has a significant positive impact on project performance (β=0.724, t=7.498 and p=0.00). These results could be used by construction experts to elaborate a broader and rooted view of the labour skills affecting the project performance. The findings give policy and decision makers the necessary information regarding the necessity of using labour skills in the operational plan to hasten the better execution and completion of building projects. The current study advances the field of construction project management by examining the impact of labour skills on project performance. KII was done to obtain the preventive measures to address cause of low labour work performance. The low performance of labour in building construction can be addressed by implementing the Labor Act, 2048, resolving safety issues, providing motivational training, and ensuring timely supply of materials and equipment. Additionally, enhancing the skills of both skilled and unskilled workers through refreshen training and recognizing the construction sector as an industry with appropriate social security systems can further improve labour conditions. The quantity of labour required in projects may differ on various factors such as project scope, project duration, project constraints. However, it is important to ensure that skilled and unskilled labours are provided necessary adequate trainings such as refreshen training, safety training, mo- tivational training. This research study recommended that all construction industries should give priority to enhance the performance of the labours before executing any projects.

Keywords

Building Construction Industry, Work Performance, Skilled Labour, Unskilled La- bour, PLS-SEM.