Perception of Factors Influencing Labor Productivity of Skilled Workers in High-Rise Construction Projects in Bangkok, Thailand

Tewakun Chankampom; Wuttipong Kusonkhum; Korb Srinavin

doi:10.55003/ETH.430106

Authors

Tewakun Chankampom Faculty of Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Khon Kaen Campus, Thailand
Wuttipong Kusonkhum Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Korb Srinavin Faculty of Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55003/ETH.430106

Keywords:

Labor productivity, Workers’ perception, Skilled workers, High-Rise Construction Projects

Abstract

The construction industry, particularly high-rise construction projects in major urban areas, is a key driver of national economic growth; nevertheless, persistently low labor productivity continues to constrain project performance. This study investigates skilled construction workers’ perceptions of factors influencing labor productivity in high-rise construction projects in Bangkok, Thailand. A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to skilled workers engaged in high-rise building projects across Bangkok and its metropolitan areas. A total of 346 valid responses were analyzed using multiple regression analysis (MRA). Labor productivity was specified as the dependent variable, while materials, tools, and equipment, health and safety, motivation, construction site area, and weather conditions were modeled as independent variables. The proposed model explained 77.2% of the variance in labor productivity. The results indicate that motivation (β = 0.786, p < 0.01) and health and safety (β = 0.130, p < 0.05) exert statistically significant positive effects on labor productivity. In contrast, the construction site area has a significant adverse effect (β = −0.154, p < 0.01). In contrast, materials, tools, and equipment, and weather conditions do not exhibit statistically significant relationships with labor productivity. The findings underscore the critical role of motivation-oriented management practices and proactive investment in occupational health and safety in enhancing skilled labor productivity, while highlighting productivity losses associated with spatial constraints and inefficient site layouts in high-rise construction projects. Departing from the predominantly managerial focus of prior studies, this research advances the literature by providing worker-centric empirical evidence from high-rise construction projects in Bangkok, Thailand, within a developing-country context. The results offer theoretically grounded, practically actionable insights for improving labor productivity through motivation-driven management, safety-oriented policy interventions, and practical construction site planning in urban high-rise developments.

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