Motivational model to enhance sustainable productivity of workers in the South African construction industry

Abstract

Although a considerable body of research exists to redirect the unmanageable trajectory of labour productivity in South African construction industry (SACI), current figures show that more than three-quarters of construction site personnel become less productive within five years after entering the industry, thus providing sobering implications for sustainability. This study attempts to overcome this challenge by investigating the role of motivation on worker performance using a motivational framework to guide the industry towards sustainable productivity. A conceptual model was established through an extensive review of relevant literature on significant constructs such as motivational incentives (MI), motivational empowerment (ME), psychological influence (PI), organizational motivational policies (OMP), governmental motivational policies (GMP) and sustainable productivity, which have implications for SACI. A sequential mixed-method approach was used to achieve the aim and objectives of the research study. Firstly, quantitative data were collected using an online questionnaire administered by email to randomly chosen construction professionals in SACI. Hence, the sampling frame for this study was focused on construction professionals and contractors in two different categories, civil building (CB) and general building (GB) registered from Grades 1-9 with CIBD. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and SEM, conducted via the PLS software. Secondly, a qualitative study was conducted to test the identified research questions and validate the conceptual model's constructs. Information obtained from this quantitative phase was used to frame the interview guide for the qualitative phase. This stage consisted of multiple case study interviews with five construction professionals, where the data collected was transcribed and analysed using content analysis. Finally, SEM was applied to develop and validate the proposed Sustainable Productivity of Workers' Enhancement Model. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to reduce the factor loadings in the pattern matrix of all the variables in the research objectives, the results showed that a two-factor structure was obtained for motivational incentives and classified as formal employment benefits and welfare-enhancing provisions. The analysis pertaining to motivational empowerment revealed a single-factor structure related to productivity enhancement in the South African construction industry. In addition, psychological factors emerged as a single-factor structure addressing issues pertaining to fairness, shelter, and communication. Furthermore, the EFA pertaining to governmental and organisational motivational policies revealed a single-factor structure highlighting organisational commitment and effective governmental interventions ranging from legal protections to proactive development policies, respectively. The SEM results revealed that policy-level interventions (GMP) and organisational policies (OMP) are crucial to enhancing sustainable productivity. Furthermore, empowerment (ME) and psychological factors (PI) exert their influence indirectly through policy and organisational structures. On the contrary, motivational incentives (MI), though conceptually important, do not independently drive productivity in this model. These constructs provide SACI stakeholders with useful insight that can be applied to utilise pioneering motivational strategies for better, sustainable worker productivity. In addition, this study demonstrates that worker motivation in SACI directly influences the achievement of sustainable productivity.