Empirical Determination of Labour Outputs for Block Laying in FCT, Abuja and Nasarawa State
Chapter One
Research Aim and Objectives
Research aim
This study aims to empirically determine the outputs for laying hollow sand crete blocks in F.C.T., Abuja and Nasarawa state construction industry.
Objectives of the research
The research intends to address the following objectives;
- To identify factors and operations affecting block laying operation in construction sites
- To identify the possible block laying operations as relate to BESMM and construction
- To analyze the effect of productivity factors on labour
- To empirically determine the labour outputs of some selected block laying work
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
In Nigeria, the construction industry plays a dominant role in the economic activities of the country and this is because it generates employment and income for the people (Field and Oferi 1988). The industry is regarded as an essential and highly visible contributed to the process of growth. According to Arditi and Mochtar (2000) cited in Abdullahietal., (2010), this implies that construction has a strong linkage with many economic activities and whatever happens to the industry will directly or indirectly influence other industries and ultimately, the wealth of a country. Also, Hillebrandt (2000) added that the effects of changes in the industry on the economy occur at different levels and in virtually all aspects of life (Hillebrandt 2000).
It is therefore important that the understanding of changes in construction productivity or site outputs cannot be achieved without site information. This information should relate both to the calculation of labour output and to the site environment in which the productivity has been achieved. Adopting a standard labour output for preparation of construction estimates require an understanding and quantification of the major factors that affect labour output. Unfortunately, many of these factors are not quantitatively understood. The complexity and sheer number of these factors are enough to discourage even the most passionate researcher. Therefore, this chapter is to review literature on overview of construction industry in Nigeria, overview of block laying measurement as relate to BESMM3, factors affecting productivity block laying operatives, unit rate estimating, concept of productivity,construction productivity, establishment of labour output standard in Nigeria, labour output in Nigeria and work study.
Overview of the Construction Industry
The construction industry is as old as nature itself and unlike many manufacturing industries, is concerned mostly with one-off projects. The sector covers a wide range of loosely integrated groups and organizations involved in the production, renewal, alteration, repairs and maintenance of certain capital projects (such as building, civil and industrial engineering works) (Ibironke, 2005; Barrieand Paulson,1992).The sector makes significant contributions to the socio-economic development process of any nation especially in expanding economy like Nigeria. Construction industry has effect on the economy because the industry is used as an economic regulator because of its size, provision of investment goods and government being the large client. It also contributes immensely to the employment, gross domestic product and gross fixed capital formation (Ibironke, 2005and Enekwachi, 1996).
Construction is a combination of organizations; engineering science, studied guesses and calculated risks. By the very nature, construction operations must be performed at project sites. Construction is a dynamic, restless and compelling business (Ibironke, 2005); the construction industry also involves a large number of varieties, the labour intensive work, the unique character and occurrence of unpredictable events (Abdel-Razeket al., 2007; Ng, Skitmoreet al., 2004; Zayed and Halpin, 2004). Construction industry is risky, that is industry with uncertainties. The risk in construction industry may be derived from external factors which have more influences on construction industry than internal factors. In recent years, construction industry suffered from rapid decline in the growth of productivity (Abdul-Kadir etal., 1995).
Overview of Sources of Estimating Standard in Nigerian Construction Industry
The building industry has come a long way since the world wars, up to 1960, it had been British oriented both in design and operational modus (NIQS,2008).The influence of British colonialism in Nigeria is still having impact in all sphere of economic development, of which, construction industry is not left It is obvious most of the construction contract procurement and administrative processes are clear reflection of British standards and practices in the Nigerian construction industry.Thefollowing standards and practices are an offshoot of British source still in use in Nigerian construction industry:
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHOD
Research is a diligent and systematic investigation intended to provide acceptable answers to questions by following logically designed procedures (Abdul-Maliq, 2006). Ibrahim and Abdullah (2008) referred to research methodology as the way a researcher goes about doing the research, unfolding a particular style and employing different techniques for collection. It therefore follows that research methodology is an expression of detailed research plan to provide an acceptable answers to questions in a logical design procedure and sequence.This chapter depictsevery detail of how the research was conducted, that is research design/Approach, study population, research sample and sampling techniques, validation and reliability of the instruments used, pilot survey, procedure for data collection, instrument used for data collection, and instrument for data analysis.
Research Design/ Approach
The term ―Research Design‖ is a strategy that will guide the collection and analysis of data (Madi, 2003). Research design is an action plan for getting from ―here‖ to ―there‖ where here‘ may be defined as the initial set of questions to answer and there is some set of conclusions (answers) about the questions (Mostafa,2003)The research design is the logical sequence that connects the empirical data produced by researcher to the study initial research questions and ultimately to its conclusion (El Sawalhi, 2002). The research design for this study is a descriptive form of research design aimed at collecting data for the purpose of describing and interpreting the existing conditions regarding the productivity of workers on sites. It involved the survey of hundred construction sites to identify the operation of ten block work items. This research design method was adopted for this study due to the nature of the research was purely ―quantitative‖ developed to study the natural phenomena of the productivity level of construction operatives.Therefore, absolute numerical quantitative data were collected through site observation and structural questionnaire and statistically analyzed through deductive approaches to draw conclusions. Research sequence can be presented simply in the chart indicated below.
Study Population
The research population is described as ‗all conceivable elements, subjects or observations relating to a particular phenomenon of interest to the research that is, it is a totality of items objects, persons issues or observations who share at least a common attributes or characteristics on which the research is centered (Abdul-Maliq, 2006). The main objective of a study population is to define the scope of the proposed study (olufemi, 2007). The research population of interest considered in respect to this research study is the construction sites‖ engaged in block laying operatives. The construction sites considered for this study are small, medium and large constituted mostly of building projects of residential, industrial and commercial for both public and private owners in Nasarawa state and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The research also captured the age distribution, gender, educational background, and experience of workers, mode of employment and all other relevant information of the population of interest.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
This chapter seeks to review the approaches employed in the presentation and analysis of the data collected for the It describes the source and nature of the data collected and also presents the findings and analysis of the productivity level in terms of output/unit measurement. The chapter evaluates the output value of workers on general basis setting down five (5) major parameters of the productivity influencing factors of workers on site operations.Descriptive and inferential analysis tools were used to analyze the data. The central tendency and measures of dispersion were used in describing the nature and common characteristics of the data and all tests were at 0.05 significant level unless where otherwise stated.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter presents the conclusion of the results relating to the research problem propounded and the hypotheses postulated. It unveils the effects of the findings. The chapter also relates the output data obtained from previous research works with those obtained in this study to deduce its conclusion. It also highlights the areas of contention especially as relate to BESMM3 compliance between the results obtained and those of previous work. The chapter concludes by giving general recommendation as to how the findings of the research can help in the production of fair and accurate Bills of Quantities which is non-detrimental to either party. However, directions for future research are recommended.
Conclusion
The aim of the study was to empirically determine the outputs for ten hollow sand creteblock laying work items in F.C.T., Abuja and Nasarawastate construction industry. The study was able to achieve the aim through accomplishing the stated objectives; the first objective was to identify factors and operation affecting block laying. Critical examination of masonry section of BESMM as relate to construction implication of work items on workers‘ productivity reviewed that certain factors such as locational factor, work in compartment presumably to have been included in the masonry section, but no specific reference or guide as where to locate them in the section Locational factor and work in compartment have productivity effects on the outputs of workers. Previous researchers never taken BESMM into cognizance or comply with operational sequence or techniques in construction sites prior to the determination of output constant.
The second objective was to identify the possible block laying work items as relate to BESMM and construction site. 125 possible work items as relate to block laying operation were identified of which 44 items were not specified in BESMM. Certain work items measurable under block work were distinctly identified from the masonry. The identification was based on distinct operation techniques and approaches which could not be executed under the same techniques. Also, certain possible work items operational in construction site which are not captured in the masonry trade as relate to block work were identified. These work items are presumably to have been captured in the trade, but there is no definite step as where to locate them in themasonry section of BESMM. It is imperative that all possible work items of distinct execution in construction site be clearly defined in BESMM hence it is a standard document upon which BoQ is reliably prepared.
The third objective was to analyze the effect of productivity factors on labour output. The test of difference conducted in order to analyze and investigate the extent of influence of the productivity factors revealed aconsistent significant difference in output of workers on the period of observation, shape of the building and mode of employment in the ten work items analyzed while experience of workers revealed in eight and age of workers in two work items respectively.It was concluded that negotiated workers were always most productive in the ten work items observed than other workers employed in different agreement.This is a clear indication that negotiated workers instillthe spirit of self motivation to maximize effort in order to maximize payment.
Workers with long working experience produce more output than workers with low working experience especially where the age group of the worker is within 20-35 years. The study concluded that complexity of the design features also affect the productivity as workers on straight block walling require higher outputs than their counterparts on irregular walling operations.It was concluded that educational qualification of workers had no significant impact on output determination of block laying operatives provided that the workers undergo apprenticeship training. The age category of workers 20-35 had highest output than those of below 20 years and 36 years and above categories and there was no significant difference among the age categories.
The fourth objective was to determine the empirically the labour outputs of ten selected block laying work items. The outputs of workers for ten work items were determined as stated in the table 4.14b and 4.15. The outputs were determined in compliance with BESMM as well as taken cognizance of the locational factor and work in compartment. The three locational considerations were; block work in foundation, block work in superstructure and block work in superstructure overhand. However, in estimating practice, Bills of Quantities are not reliably prepared on the three locational considerations, in construction techniques, these have effect on the outputs of the workers as it was observed on 150mm and 225mm thick block a sharp difference between superstructure and foundation or superstructure overhand in difference operational location.
The determined outputs were compared with the B.S., professional based experience and those of previous research and there were clear evidence of sharp differencesand their application were not sequences to BESMM. The study therefore finally concludes that SMM takes cognizance of productivity impact associated with labour and it is imperative for reliability and accuracy in block work estimate to empirically determine labour outputs on the basis of work items as stated in BESMM3.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this research the following recommendations are put forward for implementation:
- Ablock layer should lay a minimum output of the following work items per day;
The research suggested the following additional recommendations:
- The forty-four (44) block work items not captured in BESMM should be incorporated and adopted in BESMM3 for productive and cost implication.
- The contractors should exploit the output figures determined as relate to productivity factors so as to optimize the productivity of their workers.
- Foroptimum productivity in block laying operations, workers within the age category of 25- 45 years, 6 years of experience and above and of educational qualification of S.C.E./NABTEB and above should be employed.
- For exigency reason, employer should employ workers on the term of negotiated
- Workerson block laying of straight wall should be capable of producing 10% above the expected outputs levels.
- Contractors/clientsshould take cognizance of construction cost implication of abandoning block operation before superstructure overhand especially where the agreement is to execute the entire block laying
- The NigerianInstitute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) is advised to review the BESMM so as to reflect some indispensable factors that have impact on labour productivity and also incorporate those possible work items operational in construction
- In compliance to BESMM, the NIQS in collaboration with NJIC should sponsor aresearch on determination of labour outputs in all trades as a way to ensure uniformity in estimating and enhance professional integrity rather than resorting to mere guesstimates.
Suggestions for Further Study
The followings are areas recommended for further research and study;
Similar works in compliance with BESMM be conducted on all other trades.
Outputs should be investigated on the basis of standard gang size formations using activity sampling techniques.
A study on investigating into the adequacy of work items in BESMM as applied to construction sites should be conducted.
An evaluation of the relationship between the output of any of the grouped factors and any of the studied factors of productivity.
Comparative analysis of labour outputs of various total height of building.
Comparative analysis of the quality of work of various mode of employment.
Contribution to Knowledge
The following knowledge is expected to be gained from this study;
The study has provided that BESMM3 should be a basis for determination of block layers outputs in the Nigerian construction industry.
The study has provided that within the trade, there are different work items that require different outputs as stated in BESMM3
The study also provided that the British outputs cannot provide a realistic basis for block work estimates in the Nigerian construction industry.
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