This research establishes the importance of effective communication, communication factors that contribute to poor performance, and practical strategies to improve communication effectiveness in construction projects. The three most critical needs of effective communication were found to be “reducing conflict better cooperation between parties” and.
General Introduction
Background
With the natural characteristic of complexity and risk, the construction industry is increasing the level of project information transfer with the primary goal of effectively improving project delivery performance (Othman, et al., 2018). In the construction project, three major construction organizations are principals, consultants and contractors to guide the project to the right path of success (Ishaq, Omar and Yahya, 2019).
Problem Statement
Therefore, the main contractor must implement and implement effective communication management on the construction site to reduce and prevent the unwanted effect of poor communication on the construction site. However, there is limited research on contractors' perspectives on project communication management in relation to construction performance.
Research Aim
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Research Methodology
Research Scope
Chapter Outline
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: Literature Review
- Chapter 3: Methodology
- Chapter 4: Results and Discussion
- Chapter 5: Conclusion
There were 6 data analysis tests used in this study which are Cronbach's Alpha reliability test, Shapiro-Wilk test, mean test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman correlation test and factor analysis. In this particular chapter, this study's limitations are also revealed, followed by the recommendations and ideas based on contractors'.
Summary of Chapter
Introduction
Definition of Communication
In comparison, informal communication is more oriented towards chatting with a friend in a cafe or room. This form of communication is more aimed at understanding the receiver's feelings when listening to the speakers in the presentation (Velentzas and Broni, 2014).
Communication Management by Contractor
The project's contractors must therefore perform high interpersonal skills to adopt the most appropriate communication planning (Subramaniam, et al., 2020). The project's smoothness and success must be paralleled by a clear and concise communication plan (Mavuso and Agumba, 2016).
Needs of Communication
- Better Collaboration between Parties
- High-Quality Project Outcome
- Good Problem Solving
- Better Control on Client Budget
- Better Long-term Relationship
- Better Project Time Control
- Enhance Labour Productivity
- Reduce Conflict
- Enhance Safety Performance
- Manage Change
Moreover, as Ishaq, Omar and Yahya (2019) argue, effective communication can prevent the construction parties from withdrawing from the project and thus does not affect productivity. Because BIM is one of the most effective communication tools used in today's construction industry, with the benefit of improving safety throughout the construction project.
Factors of Communication
- Adversarial Culture
- Complexity of Construction Project
- Language Barrier
- Slow Information Flow
- Unclear Objective
- Lack of effective communication technique
- Lack of Communication Management Plan
- Improper Communication Time Management
- Frequent Changes to Contract
- Lack of Mutual Respect and Trust
- Unethical Behaviour
- Lack of Support for Advanced Technology
- Different Level of Education
- Poor Communication Skills
- Impropriate Communication Channels
- Stressful Working Environment
- Poor Feedback
- Inaccessibility of Information
- Knowledge Hoarding
- Lack of Open Communication
As reported by Subramaniam, et al. 2020), inappropriate communication channels led to poor performance in the construction industry. Usually, bad feedback is found in the ineffective communication process in the construction project (Obonadhuze, et al., 2021). Therefore, the project information cannot be widely disseminated to all construction stakeholders (Wu, et al., 2017).
Effective Strategies for Effective Communication
- Adoption of ICT
- Adoption of BIM Technology
- Partnering
- Maintain Integrity and Trust
- Team Building
- Use Effective Communication Channel
- Provide Language Training
- Long-term Relationship
- Understanding Client’s Needs
- Avoid Noise Communication Environment
In addition, the BIM allows decision-making to be carried out with the maximization of the project quality due to the centralized information collection in the construction project (Goh, et al., 2014; Moshood, Adeleke and Tagod, 2021). These solutions limit professionals and should also be adopted by the construction site workers (Olanrewaju, Tan and Kwan, 2017). Any additional change in the communication channel adoption by the construction project will confuse the information transfer, and the sender's feedback cannot be obtained (Ishaq, Omar and Yahya, 2019).
Summary of Chapter
Introduction
Nature of Research
Explanatory research is used when the researcher answers the questions "why" and "how" in a particular way of research (DeCarlo, 2018). Furthermore, explanatory study is best used for this research because of one of the research objectives. The first research question is clearly stated in the "why" question, which explores why good communication is important to the construction industry.
Research Methodology
Selection of Research Methodology: Quantitative Research The quantitative approach was used in this study to achieve the research
In this study, the questionnaire survey was selected by designing closed questions and distributed to the target population in the Klang Valley area. Intended respondents are required to complete the form, answer all questions and return within the predetermined time frame. Questionnaire survey is generally recognized as the most economical and time-saving research method because it does not require conducting interviews with target respondents.
Research Design
A proper sampling procedure can accurately reflect the population and ensure the reliability of the survey results. The non-probability sampling method is used in this research, and a minimum of 100 responses must be obtained with the questionnaire. In addition, research limitations were presented with solutions, followed by recommendations and ideas based on practitioners' views for future researchers to increase their quality in this same research area.
Sampling Design
Sampling Method
First, probability sampling is a method for the researcher to select the sample from a large population using the probability theory as studied. This non-probability sampling is rarely used in quantitative research methodology because the probability of the selected sample is unknown, but is widely used in qualitative research. In this study, the non-probability sampling method is used with the choice of two techniques: convenience sampling and snowball sampling.
Sampling Size
This study uses a non-probability sampling method with a choice of two techniques: convenience sampling and snowball sampling. 2020a) mentioned that these two sampling techniques are widely accepted in construction management research. In convenience sampling techniques, the sample population is selected by the researcher as it is available. The respondent in the target sample should provide more professional experience and perspective in the construction industry.
Target Respondents
Data Collection Method
Although secondary data is less valuable than primary data, it is still important for ongoing research. The Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) library database serves as a preliminary platform for accessing secondary data. All secondary data is collected from 2015 to 2021 to ensure that the data used in the study is accurate and reliable.
Research Instrument
Designation of Questionnaire
Before answering the survey, respondents were given a brief introduction to understand the research and highlighted the three central research objectives. Furthermore, Section C proposed the issue of the existing communication factor faced by the targeted respondents with the assessment method that affected the construction performance (20 communication factors). Then, respondents had to rate the potential metrics for improving effective communication in the construction project in Section D (10 Effective Strategies).
Pre-Test
Data Analysis
- Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Test
- Normality Test – Shapiro-Wilk Test
- Measures of Central Tendency: Mean
- Mann-Whitney U Test
- Spearman’s Correlation Test
- Factor Analysis
Spearman's correlation test is also a non-parametric analysis used to measure the degree and strength of the relationship between two independent variables. According to Yap, et al. 2017), factor analysis is essential to summarize lots of data to improve a better analysis afterwards. Furthermore, the null hypothesis for the correlation matrix is tested by Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (Kolaventi, Tezeswi, & Kumar, 2018).
Summary of Chapter
The factor analysis is unlikely to produce reliable results if the value is less than 0.500. It is much more suitable to limit and summarize the 20 items of communication factors affecting construction performance into smaller main dimensions that cause poor performance in the construction industry.
Introduction
Outcome of Pre-Test
Response Rate on Main Survey
General Information of Respondents
Level of Agreement on Communication Problems
Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Test
Normality Test – Shapiro-Wilk Test
Needs of Effective Communication
Critical Needs of Effective Communication
Therefore, the contracting parties found that conflicts were reduced when effective communication was adopted during the delivery of the construction project. However, this result is somewhat contradictory to the findings in Chapter 2 as “reduce conflict” is ranked 8 out of 10 of the needs for effective communication. As a result, effective communication can improve cooperation between parties during the project delivery process.
Heterogeneous Perceptions on Needs of Effective Communication Table 4.3 also illustrates the Mann-Whitney U test results in terms of the
Therefore, when the time and scope of the project are in the hands of the contracting parties, the project budget will not be exceeded because they are connected in the Project Management Triangle. On the contrary, the highly competitive nature of the construction industry does not seem to have much influence on subcontractors. As a result, they do not consider long-term relationships as one of the main motivations for effective communication during project delivery.
Factors of Communication
Critical Factors of Communication that Impact Performance For the 22 factors of communication pinpointed, the mean values ranged from
In short, the flow of the project information is the key to the early achievement of the project objectives. The quality sector of the project performance is directly related to the unethical behavior of the construction stakeholders (Hamzah, et al., 2010). Therefore, this finding suggests that the Malaysian contracting parties are aware of unethical behavior as one of the communication factors that will significantly affect the project performance in terms of quality.
Homogeneous Perceptions on Factors of Communication
One of the most important aspects of professionalism is ethics, which applies in any industry; Even the Malaysian construction industry. Bribery is one of the corrupt practices for approving substandard work that would inevitably increase the total cost of the project when additional costs are required to remedy the deficiencies of poor quality work (Rahim, et al., 2019; Yap, et al., 2020a). All results reported were above the 0.050 significant level; therefore, the null hypothesis (H0) is accepted.
Practical Strategies
Practical Strategies to Enhance Effective Communication
Therefore, it is critical to establish an effective communication channel for effectiveness within the construction project. Furthermore, one of the interviewees of Hailemicheal's (2012) study in Europe mentioned that meetings and e-mail communication are the most common forms of official communication. On the other hand, "maintaining integrity and trust" was ranked as one of the top three criteria for effective communication.
Heterogeneous Perceptions on Practical Strategies
Several similar themes emerged from examining subcontractors' explanations for why a relationship had deteriorated (Gustavo and Nicholas, 2011). The quotes of the collaborating subcontractors are more competitive, accurate and feasible based on their expertise. Therefore, it explained the heterogeneous perception of prime contractors and subcontractors regarding "partnership" as the practical strategy to improve effective communication.
Spearman’s Correlation Test
This finding also revealed that lack of mutual respect and trust (F10) is highly correlated to the ability to maintain integrity and trust (S4) with the significant level of 0.503. In this study, lack of trust and respect was ranked first overall as the worst consequence of project performance in the perception of Malaysian contracting parties, which should be addressed to improve effective communication. F1- Conflicting culture; F2- The complexity of the project; F3- Language barrier; F4- Slow flow of information; F5- Unclear goal; F6- Lack of effective communication technique; F7- Lack of communication management plan; F8- Incorrect communication time management; F9- Frequent changes to the contract;.
Factor Analysis
According to Opsahl et al. 2015), a defined project objective appears to have superior power and influence from project inception to project closure. A lot of construction waste and a long construction time will also have a significant negative effect on the project stakeholders (Opsahl, et al., 2015). Therefore, assumed that broad communication knowledge of the contracting parties is essential to influence project performance.
Summary of Chapter
In addition, 'reducing conflict, improving cooperation between parties' and 'good problem solving' were established as the top three reasons for effective communication. In addition, the three most effective communication strategies were "understanding customer needs, using an effective communication channel" and "maintaining integrity and trust". In addition, the results of the Mann-Whitney analysis showed that the groups of respondents (main contractors and subcontractors) had significant differences in their perceptions of the need for effective communication and potential communication techniques in construction projects.
Introduction
Conclusions
Objective 1
Besides that, the two respondent groups have a strong point of view regarding overall rankings, except for "better cooperation between parties". In addition, there was a disagreement between the respondent groups on the "better long-term relationship" using the Mann-Whitney U test. It was inferred that the discrepancy was due to the competitive nature of the construction project.
Objective 2
Objective 3
Moreover, the Mann-Whitney U-test revealed that “use effective communication channel” and “partnership” found a significant discrepancy between the respondent groups. This is because the different hierarchy levels between main contractors and subcontractors have different perceptions of the effective strategies to improve effective communication on the construction site. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the impact of communication factors and practical strategies to improve the effective communication management at the construction site, and 140 relationships were founded within the variables.
Research Implication
Reasons for effective communication and the influences of communication factors on performance and extended practical solutions were examined in this study. Furthermore, the results highlighted that the most important goal of contracting parties in adopting effective communication is to reduce conflict issues that arise during construction handover. Overall, this research is important because it strengthens the attention of contracting parties on the importance of developing effective communication management in the Malaysian construction sector in order to achieve satisfactory performance.
Research Limitation
It is argued that implementation of this practice by contracting parties can bring several benefits to the Malaysian construction industry, such as reduced conflict, improved project customer satisfaction, cost and time savings, and better overall project quality. Furthermore, statistical correlation is a useful tool for measuring the degree to which two variables are linearly related. Correlation does not imply causation, meaning that just because two variables are correlated does not mean they are causally related.
Recommendations for Future Research
Finally, in the Malaysian construction industry, a deeper research into the communication management aspect of contracting parties is strongly recommended. It would be interesting to follow up on this study and look at the frequency of occurrence of the five main dimensions derived from the factor analysis. Future studies should be conducted to identify new main dimensions in the Malaysian construction sector that contribute to poor project performance due to communication problems.
Summary of Chapter
The role of effective communication in the construction industry: A guide for education and health clients. The study on the concept of traditional procurement method and its application in the construction industry in Malaysia. A study on the leadership behaviour, safety leadership and safety performance in the construction industry in South Africa.
