on Performance of Public Construction Projects
in Yemen
FEATURED PAPER
By Wael Alaghbari, PhD i*, Basel Sultan, PhDii and Sakhr Q. Al-Yousfi iii
i Assoc. Prof. at the Architectural Department, Faculty of Engineering, Sana’a University, and, International University of Technology Twintech –IUTT, Yemen
* Corresponding Author; wael.aghbari@gmail.com
ii Assoc. Prof. at Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University, P O Box 66388, Riyadh 11586, Saudi Arabia.
iii MBA, Center of Business Administration, Maastricht School of Management (MSM), Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University, Yemen.
ABSTRACT
Human factors seem to be not highly respected in construction projects in Yemen. Construction project managers and contractors focus on the technical skills of project key individuals. However, less attention is paid to their capabilities of managing project people. This study is to identify motivation factors that most significantly impact the performance of public construction project performance. The data were collected through a questionnaire from 91 construction project team members representing 18 project teams executed by 18 first-class construction companies in Yemen. The relative importance index (RII) was determined the most significant motivation factors. In addition, multiple regression analysis used to find the influence of motivation factors. The top motivational factors ranked by companies’ managements were; (1) relationship with colleagues, (2) advancement, (3) work itself, and (4) achievement. Among the 10 motivational factors investigated, only three motivational factors- achievement, appreciation and relationship with colleagues- significantly influence the time performance of construction projects. The findings imply that the time performance of construction projects will be improved if motivation factors are properly applied in construction project environment. The study recommended proper handling of motivation factors which are a part of human factors for achieving improved project time performance.
Keywords: Motivation factors, Human factors, Construction, Public Projects, Project performance, RII, Yemen.
- INTRODUCTION
The construction industry in Yemen is suffering from poor performance leading to time and cost overruns. Most local projects in Yemen always experience cost overruns and delays. Certainly, there are high rates of cost and time overruns due to the project delays, inadequate documentation, shortage of resources, poor planning, unstable prices and decreased contribution to the socio-economic growth in the country (Najib et al 2018; Gamil and Rahman 2020; Sultan and Alaghbri 2020; Alaghbari et al 2018; and Kassem et al. 2020).
Previous studies by (Alaghbari et al. 2018; Alaghbari and Sultan 2015; Najib et al. 2018; Gamil and Rahman 2020; Sultan and Alaghbari, 2017; Kassem et al. 2020) indicated that the Yemeni construction sector is facing many challenges and problems. The methods of building have been quickly changing from traditional to modern methods of building. This is considered a major challenge facing the construction industry in Yemen. As a result, the industry has been incapable of meeting the requirements of the increasing modern forms of construction management. In addition, Gamil and Rahman (2020) and Alaghbari et al (2018) found that some of the problems that the construction industry in Yemen is facing are the insufficient use of materials, unfair competition among contractors, poor planning, lack of highly skilled labor, limited funding, poor management and supervision, and lack of efficient human resources management. The failure of the Yemeni construction industry is associated with many factors that accumulate to the current state of the construction industry (Najib et al. 2018). Many governmental financed projects have been suspended or failed to achieve their initial plans and thus made a financial burden to the industry and the expansion of urbanization Sultan and Alaghbari (2018) and Alaghbari et al (2018). Gamil and Abdul Rahman (2020) identified the factors of failures which comprised of five different categories which included management and leadership related factors (MLF) and human resources related factors (HRF).
Many construction projects in Yemen experience poor performance leading to project delays due to neglecting the human factors in project environent. Many construction projects in Yemen do not meet their time goals. According Alaghbari & Sultan (2015) and Alaghbari et al., (2018) and the construction industry in Yemen experiences project delays. Besides, Al Seraji (2010) found that 91% of building projects experience delays. Due to such delays, contractors incur much costs and thus their profits decraase.
To sum up, the construction industry is a major industry in Yemen, like any other developing country. The industry suffers from poor performance due to many challenges and difficulties. This study assumes that a better understanding of motivational factors which part of human factors that influence project performance will help in better management of project people and thus enhancing the project performance.
The study findings will help in improving project performance by maximizing the project individuals’ output. Additionally, it will help project managers to manage project people properly by motivating them, building effective project team working with minimum team conflict to improve project performance and overcoming the problems related to workers’ behaviors.
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How to cite this paper: Alaghbari, W., Sultan, B., Al-Yousfi, S.Q. (2021). The Impact of Motivation Factors on Performance of Public Construction Projects in Yemen; PM World Journal, Vol. X, Issue VI, June. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/pmwj106-Jun2021-Alaghbari-Sultan-alYousfi-influence-of-motivation-factors-in-construction-1.pdf
About the Authors
Assoc. Prof. Wael Alaghbari
Sana’a University, and
International University of Technology Twintech- IUTT
Sana’a, Yemen
Dr. Wael Alaghbari is an Assoc. Prof. of Architectural Studies and Project Management in the Architectural Department, Sana’a University. He obtained his B.Sc. in Architectural Engineering (the 1st with the honour degree) in 1995. Then in 2005, he obtained his M.Sc. in Project Management in 2005 and PhD in architectural Studies in 2010 from University Putra Malaysia. Additionally, Dr. Alaghbari is the chief editor of the Journal of Engineering Sciences and he is an editorial board member and reviewer for many international journals. Dr. Alaghbari has very good experience in academic and consultancy works in architectural Eng., urban studies, housing and construction management for more than 20 years. Currently, he is the President of the International University of Technology Twintech – IUTT (private university). Contact with Dr. Alaghbari via e-mail; wael.aghbari@gmail.com
Assoc. Prof. Basel Sultan
Prince Sultan University,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Basel Sultan is an Assoc. Prof. at the Engineering Management Department, College of Engineering, Prince Sultan University. He obtained his Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Civil & Structural Engineering from the United Kingdom and was awarded a PhD in Project Management from Queensland University in Australia. Dr. Sultan was an Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering School, Faculty of Engineering, Sana’a University, Yemen, 2006-2013. Course topics include Project Management, Engineering Contracts and Building Specifications, Building Technologies and Sustainable Development. Introduced a new topic of study in sustainable construction. Moreover, he worked as a Senior Consultant in Sana’a, Yemen, until 2010. He was providing consulting services to local companies, as well as, taking the lead in estimating and putting forward the commercial & technical proposals for many major petroleum projects. Dr. Sultan was the chief Editor of the Journal of Engineering Sciences between (2012-2014). To contact with Dr. Sultan via e-mail; basel.sultan@psu.edu.sa
Mr. Sakhr Q. Al-Yousfi
Sana’a, Yemen.
A Master’s degree graduate of the MBA Program, Centre of Business Administration, Maastricht School of Management (MSM), Mr. Al-Yousfi is a member of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics, Sana’a University, Yemen. Mr. Sakri can be contacted via e-mail at sakhrqaed@windowslive.com
