Abstract
The research question addressed in this study was how the performance of construction crews working in a certain project or locality could be evaluated, ranked and improved. To develop and demonstrate the relevant framework, data envelopment analysis (DEA) was applied to establish the relative efficiency of plastering crews working in building projects located in different cities around Turkey. Data were collected from 40 crews of varying characteristics, and their technical efficiency scores were computed using the Banker, Charnes and Cooper (BCC) model, which is based on variable returns-to-scale (VRS). The model yields efficiency scores that range between 0 and 1, and a company or crew is considered efficient if its score is 1.0 (100%). Efficient and inefficient crews were identified and ranked on this basis in the study. Cross tabulation analyses were subsequently conducted to gain further insights into the relationships between the efficiency scores and input factors of numbers of skilled and unskilled laborers, daily labor unit costs, work hours, average age of crew members, total crew experience, plastering location, plastering technique, and plaster type. No discernible relationship could be identified between the efficiency scores and productivity outputs of the crews. It was found that plastering technique, plastering location, and total crew experience had a significant association with crew efficiency. Efficiency improvement strategies identified included training, hiring experienced plasterers, adopting more advanced plastering technology, implementing better jobsite management practices, and enhancing workers’ knowledge, skills and attitude towards productivity and quality.
Highlights
Productivity of construction crews, based on the relationship between the input and the resultant output has been of keen interest to researchers and practitioners (Liou, Borcherding 1986; Zakeri et al 1996; Fayek, Oduba 2005; Song, AbouRizk 2008)
This paper extends this work into the use of Data envelopment analysis (DEA) for evaluating the performance of the plastering crews in terms of both productivity and efficiency, and supplementing the findings by applying cross tabulation analysis
The results show how each crew has performed in comparison to the rest of the crews
Summary
Productivity of construction crews, based on the relationship between the input (work hours) and the resultant output (quantity produced) has been of keen interest to researchers and practitioners (Liou, Borcherding 1986; Zakeri et al 1996; Fayek, Oduba 2005; Song, AbouRizk 2008). Because this concept is relatively narrow, involving a single input and a single output, adopting a broader performance measure has been considered desirable. This paper extends this work into the use of DEA for evaluating the performance of the plastering crews in terms of both productivity and efficiency, and supplementing the findings by applying cross tabulation analysis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
