Factors Affecting Construction Labor Productivity in Kuwait

TLDR

Construction labor productivity is a critical issue, as labor costs account for 30–50 % of project expenses and Kuwait faces notably low productivity. The study aims to identify and rank factors perceived to influence labor productivity on Kuwaiti construction sites. A structured questionnaire survey of contractors assessed 45 productivity factors grouped into management, technological, human/labor, and external categories. The findings reveal key factors that can guide industry practitioners and construction managers to enhance labor efficiency, competitiveness, and cost‑effective operations.

Abstract

Construction labor productivity has become such a buzz word and one of the most frequently researched topics. In most countries, labor cost comprises 30 to 50% of the overall project’s cost, and thus is regarded as a true reflection of the economic success of the operation. There are many challenges facing the construction industry in the state of Kuwait but one of the most important is low productivity. The objective of this research, therefore, is to identify and rank the relative importance of factors perceived to affect labor productivity on construction sites in Kuwait. To achieve this objective, a statistically representative sample of contractors was invited to participate in a structured questionnaire survey, comprising 45 productivity factors, classified under the following four primary groups: (1) management; (2) technological; (3) human/labor; and (4) external. Among the factors explored, the subsequent 10 are discerned to be the most significant in their effects on labor productivity: (1) clarity of technical specifications; (2) the extent of variation/change orders during execution; (3) coordination level among design disciplines; (4) lack of labor supervision; (5) proportion of work subcontracted; (6) design complexity level; (7) lack of incentive scheme; (8) lack of construction manager’s leadership; (9) stringent inspection by the engineer; and (10) delay in responding to requests for information. The results obtained fill a gap in knowledge of factors affecting labor productivity in Kuwait, which can be used by industry practitioners to develop a wider and deeper perspective of the factors influencing the efficiency of operatives and provide guidance to construction managers for efficient utilization of the labor force, hence assist in achieving a reasonable level of competitiveness and cost-effective operation.