Commute and Labour Productivity: Inner City Construction Sites

This paper seeks to identify the impact that commute patterns pose on construction labour productivity. There is limited research focused on the impact of workforce transportation on productivity, even fewer in a construction environment. In particular, this study seeks to fill a gap in the understanding of how commute patterns may influence construction labour productivity. Key factors reported affecting construction labour productivity were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Data were collected from 27 interviews as well as observational evidence at construction sites on Auckland CBD. Shortage of skills, communication among workers, shirking behaviour, absenteeism, and tardiness were perceived as the most critical labour productivity factors in the surveyed construction sites that are influenced by commute patterns. It is considered that stressful commutes may lead to shirking behaviours (absenteeism, calling sick), meanwhile, ridesharing may encourage communication among workers. The research outcomes can be used as guidelines for companies considering travel plans for their employees, in order to minimise the negative impact commuting can have on workers, especially in industries with low productivity. The study was carried out in an urban context, focusing on a geographic area with its particular characteristics, with a small number of interview participants. The results thus, may not be generalised in rural settings.