A New Productivity Benchmarking System Connected to Well-designed Labour Apprenticeship Framework for Construction Projects

Main Article Content

Kesavan Manoharan
Pujitha Dissanayake
Chintha Pathirana
Dharsana Deegahawature
Renuka Silva

Abstract

This study primarily identifies the knowledge gaps that must be filled to apply conceptualised methods for rising and benchmarking productivity levels of various construction operational tasks. Accordingly, this study intended to evaluate labour productivity in relation to labour performance using potential apprenticeship instruments and systems. Comprehensive literature analysis and expert consultations were carried out to create a new mechanism with the collection of potential models, methods and systems connected to labour training, performance evaluation and productivity measurements. A total of 23 construction projects in Sri Lanka employed the created approach methodically. The results demonstrate the precise patterns of substantial shifts in labour productivity and performance index values, which have sparked new conceptual mechanisms for construction project planning methods. The outcomes demonstrate that the suggested approach can be used in a way that is reliable, generalisable, productive and sustainable. The study provides project managers, planners and engineers with a new road map and helpful techniques to raise the standard for measuring labour productivity levels across a variety of jobs. The overall study outcomes strengthen the chain relationship among the training elements, labour skills, performance and productivity. Though the study findings were limited to the construction industry and Sri Lankan context, the study outcomes are expected to make a significant impact on the current practices of various industry sectors in many developing countries for achieving higher productivity levels in work operations. This paper discusses some more implications and future scopes of the study elaborately.

Article Details

How to Cite
Manoharan, K., Dissanayake, P., Pathirana, C., Deegahawature, D., & Silva, R. (2023). A New Productivity Benchmarking System Connected to Well-designed Labour Apprenticeship Framework for Construction Projects. Construction Economics and Building, 23(3/4). https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v23i3/4.8780
Section
Articles (Peer reviewed)
Author Biographies

Kesavan Manoharan, Lecturer, Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

Dr. Kesavan Manoharan is serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Construction Technology, Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) at present. He has academic teaching experience in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Planning, Structural Analysis, Structural Design, Construction Materials and Construction Technology. Dr. Kesavan has specific interest/experience in quality assurance practices in higher education, curriculum development and mapping processes. He has been supporting also the academic activities of other universities/institutions by conducting visiting lectures / guest lectures and workshops. Dr. Kesavan graduated from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) with a BSc.Eng(Hons) degree specialized in Civil Engineering as well as obtained PhD in Civil Engineering from the same university. He has professional memberships with the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSESL), Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) and National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSF-SL). His academic/research interests expand to the areas, such as construction project planning and management, productivity and performance measurements and enhancement, resource management, labour and job quality improvement, project delay control, construction education, multi-disciplinary research bridging industrial and institutional practices, education, training and curriculum development, quality assurance practices in education and training; optimisation methods, etc.

Pujitha Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. P.B.G. Dissanayake is serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) at present. He graduated from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) with a BSc.Eng(Hons) degree specialized in Civil Engineering in 1991 and obtained his PhD from the University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong) in 1999. Dr. Dissanayake also worked as a Project Manager / Planning Engineer at Maunsell AECOM (Hong Kong) from 1998 to 2007. His current research interests are related to the field of Civil Engineering and Construction Management track.

Chintha Pathirana, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Dr. C.K. Pathirana is serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) at present. She obtained her BSc.Eng, MSc.Eng and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka). Dr. Pathirana also has Charted Engineering qualifications of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. Her current research interests are related to civil engineering, construction materials and construction management.

Dharsana Deegahawature, Professor, Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

Prof. M.M.D.R. Deegahawature is serving as a Professor in the Department of Industrial Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka) at present. He obtained his BSc (Business Administration) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Sri Lanka) in 1999, MBA (Technology Management) from the Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand) in 2006 and PhD in Management from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China) in 2014. Prof. Deegahawature is also presently serving as the Director of the Staff Development Centre, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka. His current research interests are related to industrial management and technology management.

Renuka Silva, Director, Centre for Quality Assurance, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka

Prof. K.D.R. Silva is presently serving as the Professor (Chair) in the Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka). He obtained his BSc(Hons) in Agriculture from the University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka) and PhD in the discipline of Human Nutrition from the University of Reading (United Kingdom). Prof. Silva held several academic and administrative positions at the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, presently serving as the Director of the Centre for Quality Assurance. Prof. Silva’s research interests span wider areas in nutrition, also in quality assurance related practices in education/training.

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