Application of Motivation Theories in the Construction Industry

Abstract

This study examined the suitability of the motivation techniques used in the construction industry and their underlying theories. These techniques and theories were adapted from psychology and management literature/practice. Though this adaptation was necessary, yet, it queries the basic principle of motivation, which stipulates that motivation depends on the environment, the man and the job characteristics. These all differ in the construction industry when compared with manufacturing and purely management settings. Historically, application of motivation techniques in the construction industry is rooted in the basic Maslow, Herzberg and McGregor’s theories underlying such practices in the service and manufacturing industries. Analysis of field application of these theories revealed that certain peculiarities of the construction industry have influenced them. For example, union influence limit options of the theories that can be adopted in the construction industry, a clear boundary between factors in the Herzberg’s theory does not exist when applied to workers in the construction industry, and Maslow’s theory is also not empirically supported by the behaviour of some construction workers. And mixtures of the rigidly categorized X and Y classes of the McGregor’s theory are the norm in the construction industry. The study concluded that, though the foundational motivation theories are desirable, but collation and summary of empirical based flaws in their application in the construction industry is necessary and that a further test of the effects of the peculiarities of the construction industry on the effectiveness of these theories which have been effective elsewhere is equally desirable.