THE HUMAN FACTORS AFFECTING CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY IN THAILAND

Abstract

A variety of factors influence productivity in construction projects. The human factor is one of the issues concerning the decline in productivity rates. This study aims to identify the human factors affecting construction productivity in Thailand. Data was collected through questionnaire surveys and project site visits, along with interviews with three site supervisors. The respondents were 104 engineers working in the construction industry in Thailand. The factors were ranked by Relative Importance Index (RII). The top five factors affecting construction productivity are (1) adequate personnel safety equipment, (2) salaries on time, (3) short interval planning and progress tracking in the construction site (4) recruitment and segmentation of worker skills, and (5) problem-solving skills. In addition, the interviews with site supervisors indicated that the labour productivity of bricklayers was approximately 1.2 square meters per hour per person. Multiple factors contributing to lower productivity were discovered, including a lack of competent labour, a lack of supervision that compromised building quality, inadequate work planning, and the unavailability of suitable tools. The results from both questionnaires and interviews have shown a significant level of consistency, so affirming the reliability of the findings. In conclusion, for construction projects to attain good outcomes, organizations must deploy workers with adequate knowledge, skills, and experience. Such professionals are vital for methodical planning and competent supervision, both of which are crucial for improving labour productivity and maintaining performance enhancements in the construction industry.