CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AFFECTING JOB SATISFACTION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE OF PAKISTANI WORKERS

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1 International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET) Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2016, pp , Article ID: IJCIET_07_06_056 Available online at ISSN Print: and ISSN Online: IAEME Publication CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AFFECTING JOB SATISFACTION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS: A CASE OF PAKISTANI WORKERS Shabir Hussain Khahro Lecturer, Department of Engineering Management, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tauha Hussain Ali Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan Fida Siddiqui, Ali Raza Khoso Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan ABSTRACT Advancement in urban life made construction industry as a key industry for the overall development of countries through world. Apart from other features, it is known as one of the labour intensive industry due to significant contribution in the skilled, semi skilled and unskilled jobs. It has been reported that job satisfaction is an essential factor for successful project. There is direct relation between job satisfaction and production. The workers of this industry feel less job satisfaction, which deters job production. Thus, it is vital to investigate critical success factors and shape those factors to construct job satisfaction culture to improve job production. Qualitative analysis has been made in this study to identify the factors improving job satisfaction. Relative importance weight method has been used to analyze the data. This study also evaluates the current job satisfaction level of the workers. It has been analyzed that organization management, salary, policies & facilities, supervision, social security and opportunity of Growth are essential factors enhancing job satisfaction level of the worker. This approach helps in improving workers satisfaction level during work. This will also help the stakeholders of construction projects to make more informed decisions and prepare teams for upcoming challenges in construction projects. Key words: Job Satisfaction, Job Productivity, Construction Industry Cite this Article: Critical Success Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction In Construction Projects: A Case Of Pakistani Workers, Shabir Hussain Khahro, Tauha Hussain Ali and Fida Siddiqui, Ali Raza Khoso. International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 7(6), 2016, pp editor@iaeme.com

2 Critical Success Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction In Construction Projects: A Case Of Pakistani Workers 1. BACKGROUND Construction industry is an important sector playing its vital role in the development of economy & infrastructure of the countries. It also provides significant socio benefits for the people living in this world. It has been reported by a number of studies that this industry contributes significantly in GDP and work force ratio for countries throughout the globe [1]. There are various stake holders involved in any construction project including client, consultant, contractors and sub contractors in private & public sectors. The ultimate desire of all these is to attain successful completion of projects within planned schedule, budget, quality and customers satisfaction [2]. Workers of this industry frequently reported to have high working stress due to heavy workload, long and irregular working hours [3], insecurity in working environment and poor work-life balance [4]. These stresses affect the workers physical and psychological health, which may lead to lower job production and satisfaction. Although the working environment of this industry is messy and dangerous, it is common for workers of this industry to work under this situation for long hours. Sometimes, they are also required to travel from site to site [5]. Researchers claim that these adverse working conditions have negative effect on employees job production, which ultimately affect the job satisfaction level of the worker [6]. In addition to it, this industry is project based industry; hence people working in this industry are reported to have lower job security. It has been constant concern of researchers to investigate factors affecting success of any project. Plenty of research work has been done on such investigation since last 4 decades [7-12]. There are numerous factors found, which affects the success of a project. Detailed analysis of these identified factors was done, where labour production & satisfaction remain a topic of interest and debate. Workers of construction industry are seeking less job safety and satisfaction. As discussed earlier, job satisfaction has been the subject of interest for many researchers and most of the work is carried out for different industries but less attention has been given to construction industry. Improved workers satisfaction is the key element to sustainable productivity in the industries. Therefore, there is immense need to find out the critical factors that influence job satisfaction in construction industry in general and specifically for Pakistan. Job satisfaction shows individual's general attitude towards his career. Organizations have to use their limited resources in an efficient way to survive in the competitive environment. Giving priority to the human resources, organizations can expect high performance and great achievements from their employees. Happiness and motivation of employees are reflected in their performance. Executives need to take steps to increase employees' job satisfaction level and should listen and address the employees expectations [13]. The construction sector takes place with the participation of a wide variety of people who come together with different types of work relationship. This research covers the key indicators for job satisfaction in a way that Job Satisfaction Culture (JSC) can be nurtured within the organizations of all levels. This approach helps the contractors to monitor their workers and identify their key concerns as the contractors can make the necessary actions to manage those issues immediately. This will help the stakeholders of the construction project to make themselves ready for upcoming challenges. 2. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This study aims to evaluate the current status of job satisfaction level of the worker of construction industry. It also investigates the critical success factors affecting job satisfaction in construction industry of Pakistan. This study will helps to improve job production by increasing job satisfaction level of the workers of this industry in general and particular for Pakistan editor@iaeme.com

3 Shabir Hussain Khahro, Tauha Hussain Ali and Fida Siddiqui, Ali Raza Khoso 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY An extensive literature review has been conducted to identify the method to assess job satisfaction. Numerous studies conclude with different methods to assess the job satisfaction level which includes qualitative analysis, small scale survey, large scale survey and interviews. These approaches were adopted in different industries because plenty of work has been done in this area for process or controlled industries but construction industry is lacking with such robust assessments. Unstructured interviews were conducted with senior professionals working in the construction industry to finalize the assessment method. After a long period of brainstorming, it was finalized to assess it on small scale survey at this stage. Similar approach was also carried out for the identification of critical factors affecting job satisfaction level of the workers of this industry. A final set of questions were distributed amongst workers of this industry currently working at different levels of the projects in Pakistan. The worker was briefed about the objective of the research because they were afraid to give the true opinion to the questions. As they believe it, as company survey and the results of this survey will be communicated with seniors or owner of the company and in result, we may lose job. The workers were requested to rank the effectiveness of the factors on a five point scale ranging from highly effective to not effective at all. The detailed research flow is given in figure 1. Figure 1 Research Flow of the Study 4. DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS For data collection, it was critical to select the data collection population. Looking to the objectives and theme of the research, two categories were finalized to collect the data. The questionnaires were sent to C- 5 and C-6 contractors registered by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC). C-5 and C-6 contractors are eligible to bid the project s cost 65 & 25 million Pakistani rupees respectfully. The data population of this research is skilled and unskilled workers working in the construction industry. The data has been analyzed using Relative Importance Weight (RIW) method. RIW has been successfully used for certain sets of questions [1]. 5. RESULTS & DISCUSSION In first phase of the questionnaire, general information was asked from the respondents regarding their info, experience and company nature he is working in currently. The respondent experience rate response and sector distribution rate are shown in the figure editor@iaeme.com

4 Critical Success Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction In Construction Projects: A Case Of Pakistani Workers Figure 2 Respondent Experience & Sector Distribution Rate In the second phase of the questionnaire, two questions were asked from the respondent regarding their current job satisfaction level. In the first question, the respondent was asked about the satisfaction level from the company. Figure 3 shows the results of question one. Figure 3 Job Satisfaction Level due to Company An average percentage of 42.9 were satisfied from the company and 57.1 percent were not happy with it. There are numerous reasons behind this response rate. One of the major reasons is delay in salary. Contractors working in public sector projects normally face delay in payments. Thus, the workers are not satisfied from the performance level of the company. An average percentage of 39 are contractors working in private sector of this industry. Delay in payment is rear in private sector as they usually execute the work based on the payment made by the client. Thus, there is 42.9 percent positive response given by the workers to this factor. In the second question, the worker was asked about the satisfaction level from current job nature. Figure 4 shows the results of second question editor@iaeme.com

5 Shabir Hussain Khahro, Tauha Hussain Ali and Fida Siddiqui, Ali Raza Khoso Figure 4 Job Satisfaction Level due to Job Nature An average percentage of 28.6 were satisfied from the job nature and 71.4 percent were not happy with it. There are numerous reasons behind this response rate. Few of the major reasons are work load, none justified work task and pressure. Contractors burden the workers with extra assignments to complete the projects early. Contractor of both categories have less human resource specialized in different tasks. Thus, they assign non specialized person with extra vague task, which results in less satisfaction level of the worker and this approach also leads to create hazards on site causing accidents. Therefore, the workers are not satisfied from the job nature in this industry. Finally, in the last phase of the questionnaire, the workers were asked to rank the effectiveness level of the factors leading to job satisfaction. Table 1 shows the results. Authority (Organization Management) Table 1 Critical Factors for Job Satisfaction Supervision Policies & Facilities Job Contents & Conditions Interpersonal Relationships/Working Environment Commitment editor@iaeme.com

6 Critical Success Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction In Construction Projects: A Case Of Pakistani Workers Salary Workload Social Security Culture Job Feedback Opportunity of Growth Work/life Balance; Stress & Work Pace It has been observed that organization management and salary are highly effective factors leading to job satisfaction of the worker. Both factors play an essential role in the job satisfaction level of the workers of this industry. Policies & Facilities, Supervision, Social Security and Opportunity of Growth are also important factors as all of these factors have more than 40% effectiveness rate given by the workers. Job Contents & Conditions, Interpersonal Relationships/Working Environment, Commitment, Workload and Culture are also crucial factors as all of these factors are also quite effective as ranked by the workers. Whereas, worker perceive Job Feedback and Work/life Balance; Stress & Work Pace as less significant factors for job satisfaction. Looking at overall weights, most of the workers have given their priority to almost all of the factors as essential for job satisfaction. There are few factors has low effective response given by the respondents. I personally believe it s because of same culture and area where they work. 6. CONCLUSION The construction industry is incredibly important for all countries. Workers of all organizations need to be motivated to facilitate their input towards the attainment of organizational goals. Construction workers like all other workers need this sort of motivation to enable them to put their best. It is concluded that authorities of the constructing companies have to put forward the step to make necessary arrangements and regulations to address the identified factors in this study. Workers salary issues, basic facility provision, editor@iaeme.com

7 Shabir Hussain Khahro, Tauha Hussain Ali and Fida Siddiqui, Ali Raza Khoso proper supervision and workers growth assurance should be assured to enhance the workers satisfaction level as it will motivate them to give their best. Clear job contents & workload should be given to the worker. Educate them, what really you want them to do. Site conditions should be improved and interpersonal relationships should be encouraged on projects. The contractors should always encourage and motivate their workers and make workers realize your ownership. The purpose of this study is develop a Job Satisfaction Culture (JSC), where workers feel comfort during their jobs and as result, they will put their best for the progress of project and company. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors are thankful to survey team, who spared their time to get the questionnaires filled. The authors want to thank Prof. Dr. Allen Greenwood & Assoc: Prof. Dr. Mostafa Ismail, college of engineering, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for their valuable inputs. REFERENCE [1] S. H. Tauha H Ali, Identification of risks in construction projects using AHP: a viewpoint of Pakistan construction industry, in 6 th International Conference on Information Management and Engineering (ICIME), [2] S. Levy, Project Management in construction, 4th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill, [3] E. D. J. Love P. E, Taking the pulse of UK construction project managers health: Influence of job demands, job control and social support on psychological wellbeing, Engineering, Construction and Architecture Management, 12(1), pp , [4] B. L. P. Yip, Job burnout among construction professionals in Hong Kong: A moderator model with coping strategies, The University of Hong Kong, [5] Lingard, The experience of burnout among future construction professionals: a cross national study Construction Management and Economy, 25(4), pp , [6] A. R. Sang, K. J., Ison, S. G., & Dainty, The job satisfaction of UK architects and relationships with work-life balance and turnover intentions, Engineering, Construction and Architecture Management, 16(3), pp , [7] J. Ojo, Organisational Culture, Job Satisfaction and Commitment of Lagos-based Construction Workers, IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 13(6), pp , [8] M. R. Hosseini and N. Chileshe, Investigating the Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction of Construction Workers in South Australia, Australas Journal of Construction Economics and Building, , pp. 1 17, [9] R. A. Castillo-gallegos, Job satisfaction of construction professionals : case study in eastern Mexico Journal of Construction, 14(3), pp , [10] M. Dhurup, J. Surujlal, and D. M. Kabongo, Science Direct Finding Synergic Relationships in Teamwork, Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction: A Case Study of a Construction Organization in a Developing Country, Procedia Economic and Finance, Volume 35 October 2015, pp , [11] L. Saikala and A. Selvarani, Comparative Study on Self-Employment and Job Satisfaction of Architects in the Indian Construction Industry, International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 3(6), pp , [12] L. O. Oyewobi, B. Suleiman, and A. Muhammad-Jamil, Job Satisfaction and Job Commitment: A Study of Quantity Surveyors in Nigerian Public Service, International Journal of Business and Management, 7(5), pp , [13] L. M. Saari and T. A. Judge, Employee attitudes and job satisfaction, Human Resource Management, 43(4), pp , editor@iaeme.com