4.6.1 Research Method and Questionnaire Design
A Questionnaire survey was utilised to collect the data as it was deemed to be a suitable method for collecting data in the initial stage of the research (Bowen et al., 2013). The research questionnaire allowed for coverage of the relevant construction project management professionals active in the South African construction industry. A questionnaire approach is a simplified approach which has been utilised by many researchers previously (Bowen et al., 2013).
The questionnaire survey was based on an internet platform which provides respondents with online access to the survey. This method is an inexpensive way to cover the construction management professional in the construction industry (Field, 2009). A pilot (web-based) study was conducted to confirm the suitability of the survey questionnaire. The full survey questionnaire was launched in early June 2018, and it remained open to respondents online until 08 August 2018. A self-administered survey was emailed by the registered professional statutory body, and the email provided respondents with a URL link to the questionnaire. An advantage of using a web-based distribution is that it encourages the potential respondents to express their views in an honest, safe and straightforward way (Bowen et al., 2013). It was key for the researcher to choose the appropriate techniques and tools to collect the data as
45 | P a g e this assisted him to achieve the study objectives. A self - administered survey according to Zikmund et al. (2010) is a survey where respondents take the responsibility to read and answer questions. These types of the survey have several advantages such as being able to send it to a large sample and anonymity increases as surveys that are associated with these type questionnaires are answered honestly by respondents. The advantages of having respondents completing questionnaires are that it offered the respondent confidentiality and are generally easier to analyse and easier to turn into quantitative results. Questionnaires can be sent to a more significant sample which will result in higher confidence levels. The results of such a survey become easier to compare the more structured the questionnaire is (Hofstee, 2011). Therefore, survey questionnaires are often used for descriptive or explanatory research. Using the explanatory research approach allowed the researcher to examine and explain the cause and effect relationship between the variables(Mahesar,2015). For the study to be measurable, it was vitally important that the questionnaire focussed on the indicators of the concepts that were being studied (Onen, 2016).
Probability sampling was used as it provided the best chance that every member of the proposed population had a known, non-zero probability of being selected (Field,2009).
Convenience sampling and simple random sampling was also selected as these methods require minimal knowledge of the population and the data is easy to analyse. Along with the probability and convenience sampling, Snowball sampling was the selected non-probability sampling method to collect data from individuals who are not registered with the SACPCMP.
“Snowball sampling is used when it is difficult to identify members of your population”
(Saunders et al., 2012,p.147). Snowball sampling is a non-profanity type sampling. In snowball sampling, the first sample member is identified and contacted, and these sample members are then relied on to distribute the survey. In snowball sampling, subsequent members are the identified by earlier sample members the reason for utilising a snowball sample method is that it was easy to contact and collect data from the initial project managers and to gain support for access to other project managers. By gaining the support of the initial project manager, it becomes easier to gain access to other project managers and the sample increases.
Individuals who are “selected for a snowball sample is likely to identify others who are similar to themselves resulting in a homogenous sample” (Saunders & Lewis,2008,p.240).
The survey was set up on the online platform Typeform. The SACPCMP and companies that operate in the construction project management industry were approached for permission to distribute the surveys to their members or employees. Participation in the survey was
46 | P a g e voluntary, and participants had the choice to opt out at any point when they wished to do so.
The survey did not require any identifying information.
4.6.2 Control variables
The questionnaire included several basic biographical questions such as the gender, the respondent’s age and the respondent’s tenure at their organisation. The survey also included one control variable which asked the respondent to confirm if they were active as a project manager in the construction industry. Only “yes” responses were utilised in the analyses of the data.
4.6.3 Independent, Dependent & Mediator Variables (Constructs)
The remainder of the questionnaire focussed on the constructs which included leader-member exchange, work engagement, project success and turnover intention. As stipulated previously the researcher utilised a six-point Likert scale ranging from one (Strongly disagree) to six (Strongly Agrees). The ordinal answers from the questionnaire were coded numerically from one to six. For the study, the variables in the study are referred to as constructs as they are abstract concepts which according to Creswell (2012) are not easy to measure as they are not stated in a specific or an applied way. The researcher utilised construct measurement scales to quantify and measure these theoretical constructs (Bagozzi &Yi, 2012). The scales for the measuring of the different construct are identified below.
Leader-Member Exchange
Leader-Member Exchange was measured using a nine-item scales by Henson (2015) The internal consistency validity of the scale has been reported as between 0.966. A sample question from the scale is “I do not mind working my hardest for my supervisor”.
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Work Engagement
Work Engagement was measured using a 16 - item job engagement scale (Rich et al., 2010) The internal consistency validity between the three dimensions of the scale has been reported as between 0.89-0.94. A sample question from the scale is, “I work with intensity on my job”.
Project Success
Project Success was measured using an eight-item Project Success scale (Maqbool et al.,
2017). The internal consistency validity of the scale has been reported as between 0.71.
A sample question from the scale is, “I completed my projects on time as scheduled”.
Intention to Turnover
Intention to Turnover was measured using a three-item Intention to Turnover Scale (Neira- fontela & Castro-casal, 2014). The internal consistency validity of the scale has been reported as between 0.638 A sample question from the scale is, “I will probably look at a different company in the next year”.