TECHNICAL PAPERS
Aug 1, 2008

Model for Predicting the Performance of Project Managers at the Construction Phase of Mass House Building Projects

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134, Issue 8

Abstract

The need to match project managers’ (PMs) performance measures onto projects of both unique and similar characteristics has long since been acknowledged by researchers. The need for these measures to reflect the various phases of the project life cycle has also been contended in the recent past. Here, a competency-based multidimensional conceptual model is proposed for mass house building projects (MHBPs). The model reflects both performance behaviors and outcome in predicting the PMs’ performances at the conceptual, planning, design, tender, construction, and operational phases of the project life cycle. Adopting a positivist approach, data elicited for the construction phase is analyzed using multiple regression techniques (stepwise selection). Out of a broad range of behavioral metrics identified as the independent variables, the findings suggest the best predictors of PMs’ performances in MHBPs at the construction phase are: job knowledge in site layout techniques for repetitive construction works; dedication in helping works contractors achieve works schedule; job knowledge of appropriate technology transfer for repetitive construction works; effective time management practices on house units; ability to provide effective solution to conflicts, simultaneously maintaining good relationships; ease with which works contractors are able to approach the PM and volunteering to help works contractors solve personal problems. ANOVA, multicollineriality, Durbin–Watson, and residual analysis, confirm the goodness of fit. Validation of the model also reflected reasonably high predictive accuracy suggesting the findings could be generalized. These results indicate that the model can be a reliable tool for predicting the performance of PMs in MHBPs.

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Acknowledgments

The Government of Ghana is acknowledged for providing the scholarship funding. The writers also wish to thank Mr. William K. Ahadzie and Dr. Theophilus Adjei-Kumi for facilitating the distribution of the RIs in Ghana. Sincere thanks to Nii Tieku-Okine, an executive member at the GREDA Secretariat for assisting with the list of GREDA members. The writers wish to also thank all the participants who responded to the survey. Finally, they wish to thank two anonymous reviewers who made useful contributions to improve the quality of the paper.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134Issue 8August 2008
Pages: 618 - 629

History

Received: Oct 12, 2006
Accepted: Jan 14, 2008
Published online: Aug 1, 2008
Published in print: Aug 2008

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D. K. Ahadzie
Research Fellow, Center for Settlement Studies, Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghanan; formerly, Ph.D. Candidate, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Univ. of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1, 1SB, U.K. (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
D. G. Proverbs
Professor of Project Management and Head of Construction and Infrastructure, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Univ. of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SB, U.K. E-mail: [email protected]
P. O. Olomolaiye
Professor of Project Management and Dean, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, Univ. of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SB, U.K. E-mail: [email protected]

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