EFFECT OF FAIR PRACTICES, TEAMWORK AND WELL-BEING ON CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTIVITY

Abstract

Years of academic research on the construction industry generated an abundance of literature on fair practices, teamwork and well-being. However, little or no studies discussed these variables together and/or their independence (if any) on one another, especially in Singapore’s context. There is also an absence of literature that identifies how fair practices, teamwork and well-being could possibly impact on productivity in the Singapore construction industry. To address this knowledge gap, an online questionnaire survey was conducted and responses from 60 construction professionals were obtained. The results showed that fair practices were adopted in the workplace and the teamwork and well-being levels of construction professionals were high. Negative indicators such as conflict, hostility and anger were not significant. Relationships between fair practices, teamwork, well-being and productivity of professionals in construction projects were first validated through the testing of five hypothesised associations. Associations were significant across all variables. Models to predict the level of teamwork, well-being and productivity were then developed based on the extent to which fair practices are adopted in construction projects. Variables that have significant impact in improving productivity include having contracts that are fair and equitable, distributing risks and rewards clearly, communicating effectively and striving to achieve team harmony. Through these findings, alternatives to raising construction productivity, besides only investing in technological solutions, have become more apparent. Firms may wish to inject time and resources to raise the level of well-being, teamwork and fairness in a workplace to achieve improved productivity.