Labour-related Causes Controlling the Efficiency of Road Construction Operations in Sri Lanka: Engineers’ Standpoint

Authors

  • Kesavan Manoharan Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
  • Pujitha Dissanayake Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Chintha Pathirana Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
  • Dharsana Deegahawature Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka
  • Renuka Silva Director, Centre for Quality Assurance, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31357/ait.v2i4.6072

Keywords:

Construction management, Efficiency, Labour, Productivity improvement, Road projects, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The efficiency of workforce operations has a significant impact on how profitable a construction firm is. Studies from the past demonstrate that a variety of labour-related concerns have been affecting the construction sector in Sri Lanka and other developing countries, which has a negative impact on the efficiency of construction activities. Construction engineers are crucial resources who can play a key role in the development of decisions and regulations pertaining to construction labourers. This study intends to examine the influence of labour-related causes on the efficiency of construction operations in Sri Lankan road construction projects from the perspective of construction engineers. The significant labour-related causes were identified by a comprehensive scholarly review. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 31 road construction contractors in Sri Lanka. The impact level of each cause was calculated using the Relative Importance Index (RII) method. A total of 26 causes were found to be critical, where labour skill shortage, labour discipline, labourers’ poor ability of reading, understanding, speaking and writing, labourers’ lack of thinking abilities and their communication problems were the top five ranking causes in the list. The validity and reliability of the study findings were established using statistical testing. The activities required in the construction site management processes were also evaluated in relation to the key variables identified through a number of industry consultative sessions. These consultative outcomes further confirmed the validity of the study results. The study findings will significantly aid in modernising current industry practices to boost output and efficiency. Even though the study findings are applicable and limited to the Sri Lankan road construction sector, some of those may still be considered in other developing sectors/countries.

Author Biographies

Kesavan Manoharan, Lecturer (Probationary), Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.

Mr. Kesavan Manoharan is serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) at present. He has academic teaching experience in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Planning, Structural Analysis, Structural Design, Construction Materials and Construction Technology. Mr. Kesavan has specific interest/experience in quality assurance practices in higher education, curriculum development and mapping processes. He has been supporting also the academic activities of other universities/institutions by conducting visiting lectures / guest lectures and workshops. Mr. Kesavan graduated from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) with a BSc.Eng(Hons) degree specialized in Civil Engineering. He has professional memberships with the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSESL), Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) and National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSF-SL). Mr. Kesavan is presently reading his PhD in the area of Civil Engineering and Construction Management at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). His academic/research interests expand to the areas, such as construction project planning and management, productivity and performance measurements and enhancement, resource management, labour and job quality improvement, project delay control, construction education, multi-disciplinary research bridging industrial and institutional practices, education, training and curriculum development, quality assurance practices in education and training; optimisation methods, etc.

Pujitha Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. P.B.G. Dissanayake is serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) at present. He graduated from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) with a BSc.Eng(Hons) degree specialised in Civil Engineering in 1991 and obtained his PhD from the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong) in 1999. Dr. Dissanayake also worked as a Project Manager / Planning Engineer at Maunsell AECOM (Hong Kong) from 1998 to 2007. Dr. Dissanayake has been engaged in teaching and supervising research projects for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) for the recent 15 years. Dr. Dissanayake also served as the Head of the Department of Engineering Management, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) for a period of 3 years. Moreover, Dr. Dissanayake is currently serving as the Coordinator of the Postgraduate Programme on Sustainable Built Environment of the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). His current research interests are related to the field of Civil Engineering and Construction Management track.

Chintha Pathirana, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. C.K. Pathirana is serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) at present. She obtained her BSc.Eng, MSc.Eng and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). Dr. Pathirana also has Charted Engineering qualifications of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. Her current research interests are related to civil engineering, construction materials and construction management.

Dharsana Deegahawature, Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

Prof. M.M.D.R. Deegahawature is serving as a Professor in the Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) at present. He obtained his BSc (Business Administration) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Sri Lanka) in 1999, MBA (Technology Management) from the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) in 2006 and PhD in Management from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China) in 2014. Prof. Deegahawature is also presently serving as the Director of the Staff Development Centre, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. His current research interests are related to industrial management and technology management.

Renuka Silva, Director, Centre for Quality Assurance, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

Prof. K.D.R. Silva is presently serving as the Professor (Chair) in the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka). He obtained his BSc(Hons) in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) and PhD in the discipline of Human Nutrition from the University of Reading (United Kingdom). Prof. Silva held several academic and administrative positions at the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, presently serving as the Director of the Centre for Quality Assurance. Prof Silva’s research interests span wider areas in nutrition, also in quality assurance related practices in education/training.

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Published

2022-12-11

How to Cite

Manoharan, K., Dissanayake, P., Pathirana, C., Deegahawature, D., & Silva, R. (2022). Labour-related Causes Controlling the Efficiency of Road Construction Operations in Sri Lanka: Engineers’ Standpoint. Advances in Technology, 2(4), 417–432. https://doi.org/10.31357/ait.v2i4.6072

Issue

Volume 2, Issue 4 (2022)

Section

Civil and Construction Technology

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2022 Kesavan Manoharan, Pujitha Dissanayake, Chintha Pathirana, Dharsana Deegahawature, Renuka Silva

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