Using the learning curve theory in the investigation of on-site craft gangs’ blockwork construction productivity

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how on-site blockwork craft gangs’ learning impacts productivity within the production environment on-site to optimise their productivity. Design/methodology/approach The research is adopting a quantitative method with the observation of seven craft gangs’ blockwork with an average of five members in each gang, using the learning curve model application in a 17-storey tri-tower construction project in Nigeria. The linear regression method was employed in the analysis stage of this study using labour-recorded productivity time input as the dependent variables. Findings The paper provides empirical insights about the significance of on-site craft gangs’ learning. The overall blockwork craft gangs learning observed at the site level shows an average learning rate of 94.21 per cent resulting in 5.79 per cent improvement gains. Research limitations/implications Due to the nature of the study and the research question, the observations in this research study were limited to FCDA construction project in Nigeria. The limitation of this scenario is that the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, there is the need for further study on the learning rate. Practical implications This research study includes the implications for the development of on-site blockwork craft gangs learning; the significant impact of learning rate of 94.21 per cent resulting in 5.79 per cent improvement gain can be used in the planning and to fast track the productivity of craft gangs’ construction. Originality/value This paper identified the need to improve construction productivity through craft gangs’ on-site learning with the application of the learning curve theory.