The Impacts of Critical Construction Supervisory Competencies on the Efficiency, Productivity and Sustainability of Road Construction Operations in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Supervision practices play a crucial role in acting as a bridge between labour and organisations in construction. According to sources, the progress of construction projects is negatively impacted by the inadequate competencies of construction supervisors in developing nations like Sri Lanka. This study aims to pinpoint the critical supervisory competencies that affect the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of road construction operations. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to determine the essential supervisory competencies of the construction industry. To analyse the necessary actions, industry-expert discussions were held using problem-focused communication approaches. In total, 17 cognitive elements and 25 skills/abilities of construction supervisors were identified as being crucial according to their impact values, with the topranking cognitive domains for construction supervisors being basic concepts of structures and performance evaluation of labour skills, followed by their manual skills/abilities in labour management and communication. A list of anticipated key competency outcomes was presented for assisting the development processes of new productive construction supervisory training components. Pertinent statistical analysis results and the industry consultation outcomes assured the validity and dependability of the overall findings. The results demonstrate how the significant construction supervisory competencies impact the efficiency and sustainability of road construction operations with the necessary quantitative measurements, and these results will be highly useful to the industry sector skill enhancement authorities/boards as they update their training development practices intending to enhance the sustainability and work culture of construction project operations. The study findings have greatly influenced how the industry re-skills and upskills workers in terms of supervision, work culture, efficiency, sustainability and productivity management. While Sri Lankan road construction projects were the study’s primary focus, some of the findings will also be tested in situations similar to those in other developing construction industries worldwide.