EFFECT OF MOTIVATION STRATEGIES ON LABOUR OUTPUT OF SMALL AND MEDIUM CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS IN NIGERIA.

Abstract

The design of motivational strategies and their subsequent effect on productivity have not received intense research attention, a situation that appears to encourage stagnation in the workers’ productivity. In addressing this problem, this study examined the effect of motivational strategies adopted by small and medium construction companies (construction SMEs) on the productivity of their workforce using a quantitative research design. A convenience sample of 48 SMEs was drawn from a population of 84 firms registered with the Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI). Questionnaires and checklists were employed for data collection, which was then analyzed using Percentages, Correlation analysis and Independent Sample T – Test. The findings from the analyses revealed that a significant relationship exists between financial motivation and the output of bricklayers and blocklayers; non-financial motivation and output of tilers. It was also found that differences in the monetary values of financial and non-financial motivation applied to craftsmen were not significant. It was recommended that SMEs in the construction industry could focus on the use of financial motivation strategies, since these have been found to positively influence output in two trades.