ASSESSMENT OF MOTIVATION AS A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR PRODUCTIVITY OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Human resource is the livewire of any organisation. Its effective management is very crucial and central in the achievement of organisational objective and motivation is a process that starts with a physiological deficiency or need that activates a behaviour or a drive that is aimed at a goal incentive. In Nigeria, the common problems of workers’ performance in construction have been traced to unfair wages of workers, poor safety in construction sites, lack of clear-cut career paths, diminishing skilled workers training programmes and delay in schedule of works on sites. This research is aimed to investigate motivation factors influencing building firm’s productivity with a view to proffering solution to productivity challenges of the building firms. The study objectives are to examine various motivation problems confronting building construction firms in Abuja, assess the motivating factors that enhance productivity of construction workers and to establish the effect of the identified motivational factors have on the firm productivity. The study sampled 351 respondents which are mainly top level management staff, mid-level staff and low level staff in the selected construction firms in Abuja. The study utilised closed ended questionnaires and adopted both descriptive and inferential methods of analysis. The findings reveal that inequity in the process rewarding the work force is the most significant problem confronting construction firms in Abuja. The findings revealed that conducive working environment in terms of management and facilities is the most important factor that enhances workers’ productivity. Good salary, bonus, recognition by authority and appreciation all falls within the first five factors that enhances workers’ productivity. The findings of the research also revealed that most significant factors that affect workers’ productivity are “Training and development, Appreciation of effort and reward and Good salary. Opportunities for personal development and housing provision for employee were also identified as the most significant strategies and finally, the findings from the correlation analysis revealed a very strong relationship between the top level management staff, mid-level staff and low level staff on the relationship of the motivational factors enhancing construction worker’s productivity. Based on the findings of this research it is concluded that since motivation factors is an inducement for higher productivity it should be accorded a right of place by the workers in building construction firms to achieve higher productivity, which will lead to greater contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Output and also improves the worker’s performance and general well-being. The study recommends that a better reward system should be implemented which includes increase in salary; promotion, holiday and overtime with pay. This will definitely motivate and increase their performance of the workers in building firm.