Human Resource Management in Construction Sector: An Annotated Bibliography

This annotated bibliography explores the challenges and solutions related to human resource management in the construction sector. It includes articles on changing patterns of HRM, motivating knowledge workers, retention of skilled labor, managing multiple forms of employment, and training, motivation, and teamwork improvement. The articles provide insights on issues like employee turnover, skill shortages, migrant workers, and job insecurity, along with recommendations for improving HR practices in construction companies.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
STUDENT NAME

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CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
INTRODUCTION
For this annotated bibliography, general articles on attention and attraction in public
sector have been studied to get knowledge about public sectors. After reading articles on UK
public sector and Australian public sectors, I found that almost every country found
difficulties in maintaining human resource management in public sector. Out of all,
construction sector seemed to be more affected which is the reason behind my selection of
the topic in constructions sector. Challenges related to employee market are more in
construction sector as compared to the others. In order to make further study on this topic,
annotated bibliography on current peer reviewed journal articles have been made which will
form the basis of further investigation.
Article 1:
Wilkinson, A. J. (2012). Changing Patterns of Human Resource Management in
Construction. Retrieved from
https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/52863/82728_1.pdf?
sequence=1
Key words: construction management, human focus, resource focus.
This article examines the need for construction sectors to give more emphasis to areas
like human investment along with giving value to the clients. Construction sectors play a

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vital part in economic condition of the country situated worldwide and due to the lack of
attention towards human resource management, its potential is not utilised efficiently. The
article mentions some factors that are directly related to the drawbacks in construction sector
along with reasons behind shutting down of small construction companies. The purpose of
the article is to give limelight to human management perspectives in regard to managing
people and workforce so that issues relating human management are diminished. Since the
affect of issues in HRM contributes to poor employment relation, this article also reflects
upon various other factors like health and safety of workers, skill shortages, migrant workers
and employee turnover. A literature review has been made after collecting information
related to macro and micro perspectives of HRM from credible sources which covers three
dimensions in HRM namely resource focus, human focus, and management focus. Secondly,
the article describes the structure of human management by focusing on the ways issues are
dealt with in different organisations by making a matrix of HRM perspective. After carrying
the research methodology, the article finds that lack of attention in HRM have affected the
construction sector adversely and is the root cause of difficulties faced in this sector.
While this study applies to public sector, its findings are useful in my study of construction
sector as this article points out potentiality in construction sector and ways through which this
industry can gain reputation. By demonstrating different viewpoints of authors, this article
has given scope for further research in finding out issues related organisational performance
and employee welfare perspective. The history of HRM described in the article emphasises
its enduring concern with human focal point which considers giving stress upon human
rights, wellbeing and fulfilling their needs. Managing employee relation through explicit and
implicit agreements can establish sound relation between employer and employees. This
article contains valuable information relating human management and its implications and
thus its findings will be used in my further analysis in construction sector. The brief analysis

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made and statistics collected on current business practices in the article will also help in
making further research on this topic.
Article 2: Egbu, A. O. (n.d.). MOTIVATING KNOWLEDGE WORKERS: THE DILEMMA
OF HRM’S CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN THE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY . Retrieved from
https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB14619.pdf
Key words: motivation, knowledge management.
This article examines the reason behind acceptance of knowledge management and its
utilization for making project work efficiently. Here knowledge is termed as ’power’ for both
individual as well as organisation. The tendency for knowledgeable worker is towards
utilising their potential for enabling job security as well as longevity in their profession. This
article also examines how knowledge enabled employees are motivated by human resource
management policies. The purpose behind this article is to draw upon ideas from a doctoral
study on Human resource capitalisation and performance in construction organisations. The
research methodology adopted in this article is making a thorough research in literature of
today’s organisations where knowledge management and HR performances have been given
importance. Sources identified from electronic database and conference proceedings along
with making interviews had made the researchers gain profound knowledge about present
state in construction sectors. By exploring data and documents, challenges and risks related
tom HR practices in construction sectors is been identified along with understanding the need

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of HRM contribution to knowledge management initiatives. The purpose behind development
of conceptual framework is that it would endeavour measuring relative impact of HR issues
on knowledge management performance in construction industry.
While this study applies to public sector, its findings will be used in my study in construction
sector as motivational issues mentioned in the article could benefit construction companies if
considered keenly. The article also mentions about advantages of motivating knowledgeable
workers along with ways motivational practice can become easy. By giving examples and
related theories, this article has made my study in construction sector more gainful as its
findings can be used in my further analysis. Suggestions made and answering the research
question ‘Who are knowledge workers?’ have given theoretical base to my study that can be
researched further by identifying more relevant theories and definitions. Difficulties in
construction sector is an issue worth making investigation and if related theories are applied
in solving the issue, beneficial results can be seen in a short period. Therefore, this article and
its findings will give a base to my further investigation in construction sector.
Article 3: Siddesh K Pai, S. D. (2013). Human Resource Management Techniques Dealing
With Deficit & Retention of Skilled Labor in Construction Industry. Retrieved from
http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0913/ijsrp-p2191.pdf
Key words: retention of labour, construction human resource.
This article examines present situation where construction organisations are
considering human resource development in their business. According to the research, more
organisations are seen undertaking steps to initiate sound HR practices in their operations

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because construction sector in past years have become more drawn towards labour retention
and other issues. Requirements of organisational practices and development have not been
limited to primary training and rewarding only but managing labours and employees
according to their capability. Though construction sector is identifying a boom period, with
globalisation at its peak, this sector is not performing up to its potential. This becomes the
main reason behind the investigation of the article where researcher’s deals with the study of
HRM in present construction industry and making a review of live projects. Along with it this
article also finds out why the organisations are trying to retain labour until the completion of
their projects. Research methodology of this paper comprises of preparation of questionnaire
that supports their study. Researchers have also interviewed few project managers to find
their difficulties. After making research, the article finds out that there had been deficiency in
percentage of available manpower where less than half of the workers gave information about
manpower required for completion of the project. The study also reveals that lack of skill and
capability that has been one reason for labours leaving their job in between projects.
While this study applies to public sector, its findings are useful on my study of construction
sector as research made on present industries situated globally and data collected from live
projects will help in getting more knowledge about present conditions in this sector.
According to the research, more workers are tending to leave their job within six months of
their joining while worker who stayed until the competition of the project showed very less.
This result gives an idea that workers on an average of six months sustains in their project
which is a very significant issue. Wastage of materials and loss of firm’s reputation also
compounds to make construction sector falling in a difficult situation. The findings of this
article will be used to analyse construction sector by making further research about the
reasons behind employee retention and loss of firm’s reputation. The study has made
investigation of live projects which again gives a background to my study about ways in

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which live investigation of ongoing projects can be utilised for further developments in
related sectors. The recommendations made in this article can also be researched further and
can be applied in problem oriented areas in construction sector.
Article 4: JZ Raja, S. G. (2013). Managing multiple forms of employment in the construction
sector: implications for HRM. Retrieved from
https://hub.hku.hk/bitstream/10722/168789/1/Content.pdf?accept=1
Key words: challenges, employee arrangements, strategic human resource practice, contracts
and agreements.
This article examines the complexity and nature of construction industry and role of
HR practices to undertake decisions under complex situations. The research also examines
the degree under which existing human resource theories accounts for particular employee
related management in volatile marketplace. The research methodology in this article is
making case study of two divisions in a large contracting company while exploring different
contracting arrangements. The research team of this article makes a qualitative investigation
by making a case study of a construction company. The research was made to get access to
the pragmatic realities of HR functions within two of its divisions. Both divisions dealt with
different forms of contractual agreements while operating under different projects. The article
finds that one division was rooted with operational environment which was subjugated by
competitive tender. Other division predominantly worked under longer period framework
agreements. The summary of the article gives a profound knowledge about ways in which

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big construction companies manages their human resource departments and agreements. This
study showed different aspects under which the contracts in construction sector are formed
and undertaken by management.
While this study applies to the public sector, its findings are useful on my study of
construction sector as this study has made a comparative study of contracts and agreements in
construction sector. This will be utilised for making further investigation on present
agreements and governmental policies that maintains business operations. The
recommendation in this article gives theoretical insight and its findings during the research
process can be utilised for developing the research in more strategic and theoretical manner.
Literature review identified of a well established organisation will make my study more
enriched with knowledge about present construction industries. I will use its findings in
making further research in my topic and find out the reason why many construction
organisations are not able to manage project strategically. This article demands further
investigation on HRM models that accounts for managing complexities in different contracts
especially those working in diverse areas. Administrative issues relating employee terms and
arrangements also requires in depth study for eliminating present difficulties faced by
construction sectors.
Article 5: Amin Akhavan Tabassi, M. R. (2011). Training, motivation and teamwork
improvement: The case of construction firms . Retrieved from
http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380715091_Tabassi%20et%20al.pdf

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Key words: teamwork improvement, training, motivation, job designing, human resource
development.
This article examines the importance and power of human resource development
under critical stages in construction companies. In the coming years, human capital will play
a significant role in organisations to be successful. This forms the basis of the literature and
research in this article where the purpose is to give consideration to ecological and
organisational setting. The research methodology is combining literature with surveys in the
form of questionnaire made with the contractors in different countries. The article finds that
percentage of skilled labours in construction companies showed reducing in alarming state.
According to the article, job designing in construction companies is made after considering
employee turnover which results in poorer quality of work. This method shall be transferred
to appointing more qualified staff rather than looking upon turnover only. The analysis of the
research concludes with reasoning the present state where constructions firms are facing
difficulties in maintaining staff quality. The article suggests improvising training programmes
along with making mandatory sessions with the employees regarding health and safety.
While this study applies to the public sector, its findings are useful in my study of
construction sector as this article gives information regarding employee training methods and
job designing. Motivational issues faced by construction sectors have made organisation
think about the issue under human development perspectives. According to the article,
training and motivation alone can result in bringing huge difference in construction industry
if recognised properly. Since jobs in this industry remains impermanent, labours get
unmotivated and reluctant due to job insecurity and future threats. Therefore motivating them
in construction companies becomes more important to make employees feel secure in their

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positions. I will use the findings of the article for my further research on construction sector
by identifying different theories related to motivation and training of employees. Job
designing techniques along with educating present employee’s techniques will also be
researched for my further study. Future research on governmental projects and private
construction companies will give insight on the process undertaken by them considering
environment and human capital. Research for workers working under insecure positions and
ways to eliminate their insecurity in job will be made that can provide assistance to the
present managers of firms in providing effective workplace.