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

Abstract

Human resources are the common thread of any organization. Effective management is very crucial and central to achieving the organisational goal, and motivation is a process that begins with a deficiency or physiological need that activates a behaviour or motivation aimed at inciting a goal. In Nigeria, common worker performance problems in construction have been attributed to unfair wages, poor safety at construction sites, a lack of clear career paths, diminishing worker training programmes, qualified personnel, and delays in the work schedule on construction sites. This study aims to investigate the motivational factors influencing the productivity of construction companies with the goal of providing a solution to their productivity challenges. The objectives of the study are to examine various motivational issues facing building construction companies in Abuja, evaluate the motivational factors that enhance the productivity of construction workers, and establish the effect of identified motivational factors on company productivity.

The study covered 351 respondents, who are mainly high-level management staff, mid-level staff, and low-level staff in the selected construction companies in Abuja. The study used closed-ended questionnaires and adopted descriptive and inferential analysis methods. The findings reveal that inequity in the labour reward process is the most significant problem facing construction companies in Abuja. The findings revealed that a 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 fall within the first five factors that enhance workers’ productivity.

The findings of the research also revealed that the most significant factors that affect workers’ productivity are “training and development, appreciation of effort and reward, and a good salary. Opportunities for personal development and housing provision for employees 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 workers’s productivity. Based on the findings of this research, it is concluded that since motivation factors are an inducement for higher productivity, they should be accorded a right of place by the workers in building construction firms to achieve higher productivity, which will lead to a greater contribution to the nation’s gross domestic output and also improve the worker’s performance and general well-being. The study recommends that a better reward system be implemented, which includes an increase in salary, promotion, holidays, and overtime with pay. This will definitely motivate and increase the performance of the workers in the building firm.