Impact of Supplychain and Logistics Management on the Productivity of Construction Sites: A Comparative Work Study Analysis of Masonry and Plastering

Amadi Alolote; Beals Sampson Alele

Abstract

Productivity on construction sites is impacted by the efficiency of supply chain and logistics management. Productivity on construction sites is a scientific concept that can be empirically observed and measured via work study. In this paper, a comparative work study was carried out on two selected construction sites-A and B located in Port Harcourt, to acquire direct measurement information on the productivity of selected trades. The sampling method for site selection took into consideration ongoing building projects under construction, having many craftsmen, and unskilled workers. Therefore, although, the construction sites selected had various operatives and tradesmen belonging to diverse trades, the focus of the study was on masons, carrying out plastering and masonry works. A total of 31 skilled and unskilled workers were observed in the work study. From the analysis of the study carried out, the average daily productivity in block laying was found to be 22.58 m2 for site A and 23.74 m2 for site B. The average daily productivity in plastering was 18.67 m2 for site A and 19.71 m2 for site B. The average variation in the productivity of masons in block laying and plastering was found to be 4.22 m2 (site A), 4.81 m2 (site B) and 2.06 m2 (site A), 1.46 m2 (site B) respectively. The work study analysis carried out in this study shows that the daily productivity of the craftsmen (masons) under investigation in block work and plastering is low (22.56 m2 per gang of 4) in block laying which is about 5.6 m2 per person per day. This output is lower when compared to the acceptable productivity standard in Nigeria. The variations in the output of block laying and plaster were mainly caused by supply chain and logistics issues, leading to delays in materials delivery. The outcome of the work study provides empirical evidence useful for addressing these factors and serves as a basis to systematically improve the productivity of plastering and masonry works via more efficient supply chain and logistics management on construction sites.