1.1 Introduction
The influence of motivation on productivity of construction workers is considered in this study because of the role that productivity plays in growing the national economy. Productivity rate in the construction sector will not be mentioned without the involvement of construction workers, hence the choice of supervisors and craftsmen as the study population.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study, Research Questions, Hypothesis, and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of the Study
Construction industry is a significant sector in the economic development of any nation. It contributes immensely to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs substantial percentage of any nation’s workforce (Yisa et al., 2000). It is therefore not out of place for her workforce to be motivated (Aiyetan & Olotuah, 2006; Shashank et al., 2014). Motivation is an encouragement for better performance given to workers in form of cash or kind thus enhancing productivity (Ng et al., 2004; Halepota, 2005; Shashank et al., 2014). Eldin and Egger (1990) in Aiyetan and Olotuah (2006) observed that productivity in construction subsector of the economy has been decreasing globally despites the increasing cost of projects and large labour involvement in the sector. In most of the countries around the world, productivity of construction workers has been empirically established to be very low (Yisa et al., 2000 ; Adnan et al., 2009; Adjei, 2009).
Hazentine (1963) in Barg et al. (2014) establish that a Canadian construction worker utilizes 51% of his working hour per day, which accounts to be a factor responsible for low productivity witness in the sector for over two decades. Choy (2004) in George (2009); Hornel et al. in Prabhu and Ambika (2013) observe that a 10% increase in construction labour productivity will contribute about one billion pound annually to the British economy. Therefore, the importance of increase in construction worker’ productivity through motivation is imperative to the growth of any nations’ economy. In another study, Mohammed et al. (2008) emphasis on the decision of UK government to enhance skill development through training and re-training of her workforce to increase productivity which is one of the motivating factors identified in literature (Tomovic, 2001).
Nigeria worker finds it difficult to access medical care when needed; all these dampen the zeal of the general workforce. To address the situation, a National Science and Technology Policy were formulated to create awareness of the importance of science and technology to national development (Chete et al., 2014). This policy was formulated to assist workers to undergo training that will impact on their productivity. Furthermore, in 1989 Trade and Financial Liberalization Policy popularly referred to as local content policy in Nigeria was enacted. It aims at encouraging competition among indigenous firms and reduces the dominance of foreign firms (Chete et al., 2014). In the same vein, a National Health Insurance Policy in form of a contributory scheme that will enable workers and their family access good health care delivery system was formulated by Act 35 of 1999 (Obalum & Fiberesima, 2011).
These policies were formulated to motivate workers to increase their efficiency and in the long run increase productivity. It is also expected that skill development will equip workers to face the challenges that new technology poses while a sense of security is ensured by the National Health Insurance Scheme. The international Labour Organisation (ILO) show its commitment to workers welfare and by extension the need for workers motivation when it adopted collective bargaining, freedom of association, working time, and occupational health and safety in some of its conventions to liberate workers from the oppressive behaviour of some industrialist (Baccini & Koenig, 2010).
Despite all the efforts made through the enactment of these policies, Nigeria workers still have low productivity. For instance, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (2001) in Lawal and Kolawole (2004) agree that their productivity is below expectation. Other empirical studies indicate that workers productivity is very low and recommend concerted effort at motivating workers to change the trend (Ugwu & Coker, 2012; Odesola, et al., 2013; Lawal & Okhankhuele, 2014). However, the fact that workers were motivated cannot be ruled out, the example of National Science and Technology Policy on human development, Trade and Financial Liberation Policy and the National Health Insurance Policy were intrinsic motivation factors geared towards higher productivity.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation reveals that the problems of the Effect of Motivation Schemes on Construction Workers’ Productivity research work;
This research therefore investigates the barriers to motivational effectiveness which in this study is referred to as resistance factors to workers motivation as a way of addressing low productivity in the industry. The political and economic influence of construction sector to any nation’s development cannot be over emphasized. It is a measure of the well being of the state of the economy. However in Nigeria, the construction sector is be devilled by many problems such as cost and time overrun, abandonment of projects, low productivity, low GDP and conflict among players in the industry (Mohammed & Isah, 2012; Kolawole & Anigbogu, 2004; Aiyetan and Olotuah, 2006; Umoru and Yaquib, 2013).
However, construction workers according to Odesola and Idoro (2014) are not seen as an important input to project execution in Nigeria. This is responsible for conflict between labour and management identified by Kolawole and Anigbogu (2004). The implication of this to the economy is the low turnover of projects and low tax payment by the sector (Dozzi & Abourizk, 1993). The long term effect of poor treatment given to workers is the loss of human capital to other nations. This is inimical to the development of any nation and most importantly Nigeria. This will adversely affect the growth of the economy and constitute barrier to long desired technological advancement of the nation (Chete et al., 2014).
The rate of project abandonment has created nuisance to the environment and provided hideout for miscreants. Report indicates that one of such abandoned properties was used to rape an innocent girl in central Lagos by some boys. This calls for effective strategy to tackle the myriads of problems facing the sector (Abinbola, 2016).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to determine the Effect of Motivation Schemes on Construction Workers’ Productivity using a construction firms in Lagos, Nigeria as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out as follows;
- To determine the motivating factors that enhances productivity of construction workers in Lagos, Nigeria,
- To examine the impact of construction worker’ motivation on their productivity in Lagos, Nigeria,
- To determine the impact of resistance to change on construction worker’ motivation in Lagos, Nigeria,
- To develop a model of the relationship between motivation, resistance and productivity in construction firms in Lagos, Nigeria.
1.5 Research Questions
The research questions for this study are:
- What motivation factors enhance worker’ productivity in the construction industry in Lagos, Nigeria?
- What are the impacts of motivation on construction workers productivity in Lagos, Nigeria?
- To what extent does resistance to change affects motivation of construction worker in Lagos, Nigeria?
- What is the relationship between motivation, resistance and productivity in the construction industry in Lagos, Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
The following hypotheses were formulated for the study:
Hypothesis One
H0: There is no relationship between motivation and productivity.
H1: There is a relationship between motivation and productivity.
Hypothesis Two
H0: There is no relationship between resistance to change and motivation.
H1: There is a relationship between resistance to change and motivation.
1.7 Scope of Study
This study focuses on the Effect of Motivation Schemes on Construction Workers’ Productivity using a construction firms in Lagos, Nigeria as a case study.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Significance of the Study
Construction industry contributes immensely to employment generation in nations of the world and most importantly in Nigeria. The following are the relevance of the research work;
- The outcome of this study is expected to address the problem of low productivity experience in construction industry in Nigeria and beyond.
- To motivation that will be of benefit to players in the construction industry is provided.
- This study will permit an reappraisal of motivation theories with a view to incorporating the influence of resistance of worker to productivity improvement in future motivation theories.
- It will be appropriate to state that any construct that will be suitable as expression of motivation model must have resistance input before the issue of low productivity can be addressed.
Besides, the study will serve as reference material for subsequent researcher in the field or related topics.
1.10 Definition of Terms
The following terms were consistently used in the course of this study and used in the context of the definitions provided.
Architect: An architect designs building plan and he is involved in the supervision of same.
Builder: A builder is someone who is academically trained and professional registered with the council of registered builders of Nigeria, and provides services in the area of building production or construction management of building projects.
De-motivation: They are factors that cause dissatisfaction if present in work setting (Herzberg, 1968).
Engineer: An engineer is someone who is responsible for the design of structural elements of a building and supervises same.
Labour productivity: This is the physical progress attained in construction operations per person per hour (Dozzi & AbouRizk, 1993).
Motivation: This is a positive charge that produces motivation current that moves an individual to expend effort that will lead to attainment of organizational goal and meet personal needs (Authors definition adapted from Ohm’ law in Ankahova, 2013).
Organisational change: This is an adjustment in structure introduced to an organisation to make it more viable and productive (Hodgetts & Kuratko, 1991).
Productivity: This is the ratio of resources input to the output achieved (Dozzi & AbouRizk, 1993).
Resistance: This is the reaction of employee to organisational change in an attempt to maintain existing ways of doing things as against the desire for change by change drivers (Ford et al., 2002 in Yue, 2008).
