Australian Construction Industry Research Articles

Refugees', asylum seekers' and migrants' experiences of finding meaningful work in the Australian construction industry: a Bourdieusean analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to use Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus to explore how refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and mobilise social, cultural, symbolic and economic capital to find meaningful work in the Australian construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports the results of a survey of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who have either successfully or unsuccessfully searched for employment in the Australian construction industry.FindingsThe findings dispel widely held negative stereotypes of about this group by describing a highly capable workforce which could address significant skills shortages in the industry, while concurrently diversifying the workforce. However, it is found that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants face considerable barriers to finding meaningful employment in the construction industry. In circumventing these barriers, education institutions, charities and community-based organisations play an especially important role, alongside friends and family networks. They do this by helping refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and deploy the necessary capital to secure meaningful work in the construction industry. Disappointingly, it is also found that the construction industry does little to help facilitate capital accumulation and deployment for this group, despite the urgent need to address diversity and critical skills shortages.Originality/valueEmploying Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus, the findings make a number of new theoretical and practical contributions to the limited body of international research relating to the employment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers in the construction. The results are important because meaningful employment is widely accepted to be the single most factor in the successful integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into a host society and the construction industry represents an important source of potential employment for them.

Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and gender differences: a case of construction workforce in Australia

PurposeThis study aims to explore the gender differences in working from home (WFH) experiences during the pandemic from the Australia’s construction workforce perspective. Specifically, it explores gender differences in terms of: (1) the respondents’ family responsibilities during the pandemic; (2) their WFH experiences prior to and during the pandemic; and (3) their perceptions of the impacts of challenges associated with WFH on their work activities and performance along with their self-reported work performance when WFH, overall satisfaction with WFH and preference for WFH post-COVID.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a survey design to reach the targeted sample population, i.e. construction workforce in the Australian construction industry who has had experienced WFH during the pandemic. Data was collected using an online anonymous questionnaire survey.FindingsThe results show notable gender differences in various aspects including family responsibilities, workplace arrangements and perceptions of the impacts of the challenges associated with WFH on work activities and performance. Also, statistically significant associations are detected between gender and the respondents’ self-reported work performance when WFH, overall satisfaction with WFH and preference for WFH post-COVID.Originality/valueEven prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about WFH experiences among construction workforce due to the low prevalence of regular and planned remote working in the industry. This is the first study sheds light on construction workforce WFH experiences using gender lenses. The findings have implications for construction-related firms continuing with WFH arrangement post the pandemic, which may include the formulation of policy responses to re-optimize their present WFH practices.

Bridging the gap: assessing the person-organization fit between BIM education and industry expectations in Australia

PurposeA lack of suitably qualified Building Information Modelling (BIM) professionals is understood to be a major barrier towards higher uptakes of BIM in the Australian construction industry. In response, Australian universities have tried to integrate the teaching of BIM into construction-related curricula, but with limited success. The acknowledged impediment is the lingering mismatch between what universities offer and what industry actually needs. However, the exact nature of that mismatch has yet to be identified. This study addresses that knowledge gap. It assesses both the current status of BIM competencies among university graduates and explores how BIM education at Australian universities may be improved to deliver BIM work readiness, as required by the industry.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employed a qualitative research approach, utilizing 17 semi-structured interviews with experts in the Australian BIM industry. The Person-Organization (PO) fit theory, which emphasizes the congruence between individual and organizational characteristics, was utilized as a theoretical framework to examine the compatibility between “demand” and “ability” perspectives. The resulting data were analysed using this theoretical framework to gain insights into the PO fit perspectives in relation to BIM industry practices.FindingsFindings reveal that graduates are generally competent regarding the use of BIM software. However, employers require much more than software skills, and expect recruits to have the capability to implement BIM as a process according to information management standards. Specifically, graduates are significantly deficient in matters of BIM protocols, collaboration and coordination, information workflows as well as completion and handover procedures.Originality/valueThis study is the first of its kind that bridges the gap between industry expectations and university education, in the Australian context, moving beyond the common discourse in education literature, which is exclusively focused on assessing students’ perceptions about BIM.

Institutional and Actor Network Perspectives of Waste Management in Australia: Is the Construction Industry Prepared for a Circular Economy?

Waste management and minimization are touted to be two of the key drivers for greening the construction industry and a pathway to a circular economy. This research aims to revisit the attitudes and perceptions of project stakeholders towards construction and demolition (C&D) waste in the Australian construction industry and ascertain if the current state of play in construction would facilitate the transition to a circular economy. Statistical analysis was performed on an online survey dataset collected from 104 professionals within the Australian construction supply chain. The results reveal that construction professionals’ attitudes and perceptions to C&D waste could be classified into normative, regulatory and cultural cognitive drivers. Also, the perceived barriers and strategies of C&D waste management vary across design consultants and principal and sub-contractors. Overall, the evidence is suggestive that the Australian construction industry seems not fully ready for a circular economy. In terms of research implications, clearer guidelines and mandatory approaches to C&D waste management, involving a balance of incentivization and dis-incentivization actions, and close and stronger collaborations between the industry and government, are deemed necessary for better C&D waste management performance and the realization of a greener industry.

Transitioning young people into employment in the Australian construction industry: the trust-building role of project-based intermediaries

PurposeConstruction is one of Australia’s largest employers of young people and the industry is facing a major labor shortage, with young people expected to account for much of the shortfall. Surprisingly however, there been little research into the pathways for young people into construction employment. The aim of this paper is to address this gap in research by exploring whether project-based intermediaries can support the development of disadvantaged young people’s trust in the often-problematic systems which are meant to help transition them into employment in construction.Design/methodology/approachEmploying an in-depth case study approach, this research mobilizes theories of personalized and generalized trust to report the results of interviews with 15 sectoral leaders; focus groups with 12 young people working in construction; and interviews with 11 young people being transitioned into construction employment through a unique project-based intermediary developed by a major Australian construction company as part of its social procurement requirements.FindingsFindings show that project-based intermediaries can play an important trust-building role in transitioning disadvantaged young people into work in construction. They do this by bridging a young person’s strong social ties (family and friendship) and weak social ties (with government and construction industry organizations), both of which can be problematic when used in isolation to seek employment in construction. By performing a crucial bridging role between a young person’s individual self-interest in acting alone to find work and their collective interest in being part of a collaborative group, the project-based intermediary creates a new form of linking social capital, enabling social procurement policies which target young people to work while also addressing wider systemic problems in Australia’s employment systems.Originality/valueThis research addresses the lack of employment research into young people in construction and the paucity of theory in social procurement research more broadly. It takes an original approach in aligning theories related to a duality of personalized trust and generalized trust seen against the duality of individual intentionality and agency (self-focused) and shared intentionality and agency (group-focused). By doing so it provides new conceptual and practical insights into the important role that construction project-based intermediaries like the one studied here can play in providing innovative cross-sector and collaborative solutions to the world’s growing youth unemployment crisis.

Measuring safety performance of construction employees using data envelopment analysis: A case in Australia

Introduction: Safety is one of the critical and persistent challenges in the construction industry. Measuring safety performance could allow decision-makers to check safety production processes and enhance the health and safety environment. Method: This study developed a total-factor framework based on the global Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method to measure safety performance. The performance trend and influencing factors of pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency were separately investigated. The safety performance of construction employees in Australia was measured as a case study. Results: The results demonstrate that the safety performance in the Australian construction industry has been evidently enhanced, which is mainly promoted by the progress of pure technical elements. The scale factors did not play a positive and important role in driving the performance. Conclusions: The increasing regional differences in safety performance could be reduced by learning the practices from the benchmark construction industry, such as a young worker program, small business safety program, workplace mental health program, and advanced construction technologies. Practical Applications: The method can be utilized to measure safety performance and investigate the pathways to enhance performance without influencing production inputs and outcomes. The model and experiences of how to promote safety performance on the policymakers and employers were recognized.

Gender Bias in the Australian Construction Industry: Women’s Experience in Trades and Semi-Skilled Roles

While most industry sectors in the Australian workforce have consistently improved regarding the participation of women, the construction industry remains an exception. Despite multiple gender equality initiatives and regulations at all levels of the Australian Government, the proportion of women employed in the construction industry has steadily declined. In 2020, only 1% of the trades and technician positions in the Australian construction industry were filled by women. In this qualitative study, interviews were undertaken with 43 women working in trades and semi-skilled roles to identify the varying types of gender biases experienced by women and the resultant harms that these biases create. Biases consisted of challenges to credibility; characteristics of the work environment comprising support, amenities, conditions of employment, career development, and access to meaningful work; gender stereotypes about women’s work roles; and objectification. Each of these biases has a cumulative impact on women, leading to systemic and structural discrimination. The implications and suggestions for strategies to address biases are discussed, including the need for structural interventions to create epistemic justice and recognition for women working in construction.

A qualitative analysis of self-reported suicide gatekeeper competencies and behaviour within the Australian construction industry.

Construction workers in Australia have suicide rates 84% higher than other workers, with even higher rates for younger and less-skilled workers. Gatekeeper training (GKT) is a suicide prevention strategy that aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy to identify and assist individuals at risk of suicide. However, the impact of GKT on long-term behaviour and suicide prevention is unclear in the construction industry. Researchers conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with trained Bluehats, who provide support to their colleagues in the construction industry experiencing mental health difficulties and suicidal distress. Participants reported high levels of motivation and capability due to lived experience of mental health problems or suicide, training, satisfaction from helping others and feeling valued in their work environment. The study highlighted the importance of physical and social opportunities for participants to support their colleagues. The findings reinforced the need to integrate GKT within comprehensive industry suicide prevention programs that provide a range of interventions for workers and ongoing support to trainees to translate their skills into behaviour. Future GKT should include behaviour change approaches to identify and target contextual and individual-level factors influencing behaviour. SO WHAT?: Understanding the potential and limitations of GKT within the construction industry offers invaluable insights for health promotion. Integrating GKT with holistic prevention programs could lead to more impactful strategies, potentially reducing the high suicide rates and fostering a healthier work environment in the construction sector.

Working from Home during COVID-19: An Exploratory Study on Experiences and Challenges of Women in Construction

Early studies on the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that the working from home (WFH) mandate and unusual caregiving arrangements have dramatically impacted the employment of women, especially those with young children. This study explores women’s perceptions of the WFH mandate arrangement. Data were collected from the female workforce in the Australian construction industry using an online questionnaire. The specific objectives were to (i) explore their WFH experiences; (ii) examine their perceived impacts of WFH challenges on work activities and performance; and (iii) explore the relationships among critical challenges, the respondents’ demographic characteristics and their overall satisfaction with WFH and preference for WFH after COVID. Although most respondents were new to the WFH arrangement, there is evidence suggesting that they were adapting well to the sudden shift to a WFH arrangement. Sixteen (out of twenty-two) challenges recorded positive perceived impacts on work activities and performance. The top three critical challenges were (i) mutual trust between you and your work supervisor; (ii) availability of suitable space at home; and (iii) information and communication exchanges via virtual meetings. The respondents also indicated positive satisfaction with a WFH arrangement along with perceived positive work performance while WFH. Most of them indicated high preference for WFH after COVID, which was positively correlated with the level of education attainment. The critical challenges identified together with a set of negative factors might be useful for employment organizations to re-optimize their WFH practices.

The State of Industry 4.0 in the Australian Construction Industry: An Examination of Industry and Academic Point of View

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the current state of Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) with regard to construction in Australia and to identify the key factors that are driving and hindering its adoption. A literature review and desktop review were conducted to extract mainstream topics, followed by a two-folded workshop designed with a multidisciplinary team of academics, as well as representatives of mainstream firms and peak bodies from the construction value chain. Our study has highlighted the importance of considering both technological and human-related factors in the adoption of IR 4.0 to address barriers that have been traditionally overlooked, and work towards a more successful and holistic implementation of this transformative paradigm. By considering the social aspects of construction, prioritizing data-driven approaches with a focus on privacy and ethics, and emphasizing integration, these facilitators contribute to the effective implementation and success of IR 4.0 in the construction industry. The findings of this study have significant implications for the construction industry in Australia. Addressing the barriers to digital construction adoption and embracing IR 4.0 technologies can help the industry to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. Additionally, investing in education and training can help to build the necessary skills and capabilities needed to drive the industry forward in the digital age.

Short‐term fix or remedy for market failure? Immigration policy as a distinct source of skills

AbstractThis article analyses the role of immigration policy as a distinct source of skills supply in liberal market economies. It draws upon interviews with representatives of employer associations and trade unions in the Australian construction and hospitality industries to identify how labour market actors make sense of the function of immigration policy. Rather than ‘complementing’ or ‘undermining’ training and other domestic labour market institutions, as is often assumed, immigration policy can serve to remedy the systemic failures of these institutions to supply skills in the short term. However, overreliance on immigration can disincentivise reform of the labour market institutions necessary to generate adequate skills supply in the long term. The findings suggest the need to reconceptualise the function of immigration policy in terms of its distinct rather than equivalent functions to labour market institutions.

Overcoming Head Contractor Barriers to Sustainable Waste Management Solutions in the Australian Construction Industry

The construction industry has one of the highest waste intensities in Australia. While there are barriers to the implementation of sustainable waste management (WM) practices, there is a lack of viable solutions for head contractors to overcome these barriers. This research investigates the role of incentives in achieving sustainable WM in the Australian commercial construction industry. A qualitative approach was adopted through interviews with experts in the field to explore the role of incentives as possible solutions to the barriers presented. The findings show that participants are willing to use more sustainable WM practices. However, the barriers are perceived to be too substantial. Many types of incentives can encourage changes in behavior, which contribute to better waste outcomes. The findings also indicate key stakeholders such as the client, government, and industry regulators may provide incentives, including enhancing relevant key performance indicators, amending existing legislations, and implementing government programs to foster a Circular Economy to improve sustainable WM practices. This study contributes to the field by raising awareness about the role of incentives for head contractors to achieve sustainable WM practices.

Machine learning regression for estimating the cost range of building projects

Purpose Several factors influence the costs of buildings. Thus, identifying the cost significant factors can assist to improve the accuracy of project cost forecasts during the planning phase. This paper aims to identify the cost significant parameters and explore the potential for improving the accuracy of cost forecasts for buildings using machine learning techniques and large data sets. Design/methodology/approach The Australian State of Victoria Building Authority data sets, which comprise various parameters such as cost of the buildings, materials used, gross floor areas (GFA) and type of buildings, have been used. Five different machine learning regression models, such as decision tree, linear regression, random forest, gradient boosting and k-nearest neighbor were used. Findings The findings of the study showed that among the chosen models, linear regression provided the worst outcome (r2 = 0.38) while decision tree (r2 = 0.66) and gradient boosting (r2 = 0.62) provided the best outcome. Among the analyzed features, the class of buildings explained about 34% of the variations, followed by GFA and walls, which both accounted for 26% of the variations. Originality/value The output of this research can provide important information regarding the factors that have major impacts on the costs of buildings in the Australian construction industry. The study revealed that the cost of buildings is highly influenced by their classes.

Policies and practices of gender-based equality and diversity in Australian project-based organizations

The relationship between gender equality and diversity practices and their impact on gender diversity in project-based organizations has delivered mixed research results. Policies abound but the implementation of diversity practices has received limited research focus. The quality of the processes implementing equality and diversity practices is the focus of the present research report. The research systematically investigates how effective is the implementation of those practices using a multi-case research method across six project-based organizations in the Australian construction, property and engineering industry sectors, employing a frame designed by Guest and Bos-Nehles (2013). The findings reveal patchy and ineffective implementation of even well-considered and high-quality diversity policies. In terms of diversity practices, a focus on implementation in practice is equally important as a focus on policy design or selection.

Addressing youth un/underemployment through construction social procurement: an ecological systems theory perspective

Young people’s unemployment and underemployment are acknowledged as serious and enduring problems in Australia and globally. Construction is one of the largest employers of young people, and social procurement of construction products and services has significant potential if harnessed to address this problem. This article argues that project-based intermediation offers critical new insights into how social procurement can be implemented in a construction context. Employing a single case study approach, the article uses ecological systems theory and concept mapping to examine the results of focus groups with twelve young people who transitioned to employment in the Australian construction industry through a unique project-based intermediary set up by a major contractor to meet its social procurement requirements. Addressing the current under-theorisation of social procurement research, this article offers new conceptual insights into the socio-ecological networks that influence young people’s successful transition to employment in construction. The findings also provide new practical insights for government policymakers and the construction industry into the potential role that project-based intermediation can play in addressing youth unemployment in the context of emerging social procurement policies in many countries.

What’s it going to take? Lessons learned from COVID-19 and worker mental health in the Australian construction industry

In Australia, rates of suicide and poor mental health among construction workers were high before the COVID-19 pandemic. “Lock downs”, “restrictions”, “social distancing” and legislative changes responding to the pandemic have likely exacerbated the working conditions that foster poor mental health. This study analyses the way in which workplace health and safety (WHS) is regulated in Australia against the backdrop of existing research relating to the development of Australia’s WHS laws, and the state of mental health of those working in Australia’s construction industry. This study was conducted using a doctrinal research methodology and utilising legal theory. This study assesses the capacity of the Australian WHS regulatory system to protect construction workers’ mental health by examining and interpreting key provisions in Australia’s WHS laws. It then uses a regulatory theory, responsive regulation, to explain the inconsistency between the capacity of those laws to safeguard mental health and the very poor state of mental health of Australia’s construction workers. The conclusion reached is that there is scope to improve current WHS laws to better protect construction workers’ mental health. A recommendation is made, that current WHS laws are changed to prescribe minimum standards of worker mental health, and mandate control measures to minimise and/or eliminate psychosocial risks. It is submitted that these changes in the law will contribute to a changed culture in Australia’s construction sector, which is supportive of mentally healthy workplaces and workers.

"And you feel like you're suffocating … how the fuck am I going to get out of all this?" Drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation in the Australian construction industry.

This research was designed to generate understandings of drivers and experiences of suicidal ideation and distress among Australian Construction Industry (ACI) workers, as well as what helped during these experiences. Fifteen participants, from a variety of ACI or closely associated roles, with an average age of 45 years (29-66), engaged in individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded with consent and analyzed using descriptive thematic analysis. Eight themes relating to what may drive the presence of suicidal ideation and distress were identified; 1) challenges of working within the ACI, 2) relationship and family issues, 3) social disconnection, 4) personal financial hardship, 5) perceived lack of support, 6) alcohol and drug use, 7) child custody/access and legal issues, and 8) experience of mental health challenges, trauma, or a significant adverse life event. Four themes relating to experience and expression of suicidal ideation and distress were identified: 1) suicidal thoughts, 2) impaired thinking, 3) observable expressions of suicidal distress, and 4) lack of observable expressions of suicidal distress. Six themes relating to what helped during experiences and well as what can be done by the ACI to help mitigate experiences, were identified: 1) presence of colleague and managerial support, 2) MATES in Construction, 3) engagement with non-work activities and social support, 4) personal skills and knowledge relating to suicide and mental health, 5) high level industry integration and engagement with support programs, and 6) work hours and expectations changes. Findings highlight several industry and personal related challenges that may drive experiences, with many potentially mitigatable by ACI changes and focused prevention strategies. Participant suicidal thought descriptions align with previously identified constructs deemed central in suicidal trajectories. While findings highlight several observable expressions of suicidal ideation and distress, challenges associated with identifying and assisting individuals in the ACI who may be struggling were also reported. Several factors that helped ACI workers during their experiences, as well as what the ACI can do to mitigate future experiences, were identified. Recommendations are made based on these findings, encouraging a more supportive work environment, as well as continued development and increased awareness of support and education systems.

Tackling stress of project management practitioners in the Australian construction industry: the causes, effects and alleviation

PurposeThe problem of stress is increasingly gaining attention in the construction industry in recent years. This study is aimed at examining the causes, effects and possible alleviation of stress of project management (PM) practitioners so that their stress could be appropriately managed and reduced, which would contribute to improved mental health.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected in an online questionnaire survey via Qualtrics. Questions ranged from PM practitioners’ stressors, stress and performance under stress to stress alleviation tools and techniques. One hundred and five PM practitioners completed the questionnaire. Their responses were compiled and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression.FindingsThe results confirmed that the identified stressors tended to increase stress of PM practitioners. All stressors tested in this study were found to have negative impact on the performance of PM practitioners. In particular, the burnout stressors were seen as the key stressors that influence the performance of PM practitioners and have a strong correlation with all the other stressors. It was also found that a number of tools and techniques can reduce the impact of stressors on PM practitioners.Originality/valueThis study has taken a specific focus on stress-related issues of PM practitioners in the construction industry due to their critical role in this project-dominated industry. Using the Job Demand-Resource theory, a holistic examination was not only conducted on stress and stressors but also on alleviation tools and techniques. This study has thus made significant contribution to the ongoing research aimed at finding solutions to mental health-related problems in the project-dominated construction industry, thereby achieving the United Nations’ social sustainability development goals.

Women Workforces’ Satisfaction with Personal Protective Equipment: A Case of the Australian Construction Industry

Despite the anecdotal evidence that construction women workforces have faced difficulties in accessing adequate and properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), there have been very few studies addressing their experiences and satisfaction with PPE. This study aimed to provide an overview of women workforces’ satisfaction with PPE in the Australian construction industry. The specific research objectives were to: (i) examine their satisfaction regarding the functional, expressive and aesthetic (FEA) need attributes of PPE and (ii) investigate factors affecting their overall satisfaction with PPE. Data were collected using an online questionnaire survey. The results indicated a rather low satisfaction level among the respondents for all the thirteen FEA need attributes of their PPE. A regression model showed that their overall satisfaction with PPE was significantly affected by their experiences of PPE use (i.e., the need for alterations or adjustments to PPE, adequacy of training for PPE use, the perceived impact of ill-fitting PPE on work productivity) and satisfaction with FEA need attributes but not their demographical factors. The research findings call for action among construction training organizations, PPE designers and manufacturers and construction employers to recognise and address the low satisfaction level for PPE use among women workforces in the industry.

Psychosocial hazards affecting mental health in the construction industry: a qualitative study in Australia

PurposeMental health problems are a grave concern in construction. Although the distinction between high job demands and low job resources, as reflected in the Job Demands-Resources (JD–R) model, has been used to examine the extent to which psychosocial hazards influence mental health for construction practitioners, limited research has reflected on the nature of these psychosocial hazards by exploring experiences of site-based construction practitioners.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a phenomenological approach to examine people’ experiences and thoughts of the complex phenomena of psychosocial hazards and mental health in construction. In total, 33 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with site-based construction practitioners in Australia to unveil construction-focused psychosocial hazards and their effects on mental health. The data were analysed via content analysis, employing an interpretation-focused coding strategy to code text and an individual-based sorting strategy to cluster codes.FindingsEighteen psychosocial hazards were identified based on the JD–R model. Six of these represented a new contribution, describing salient characteristics inherent to the construction context (i.e. safety concerns, exposure to traumatic events, job insecurity, task interdependency, client demand and contract pressure). Of particular importance, a number of interrelationships among psychosocial hazards emerged.Originality/valueThe significance of this qualitative research lies in elucidating psychosocial hazards and their complex interrelatedness in the context of the mental health of construction practitioners, enriching the understanding of this central health and safety issue in the high-risk setting of construction work. The findings contribute to addressing mental health issues in the Australian construction industry by identifying higher order control measures, thereby creating a mentally healthy workplace.