This qualitative study developed trust themes: 'lack of trust, ability (skill, experience and competence), benevolence and company integrity' from interviews based on the perceptions of workers. It also developed a framework which was used for validating workplace trust and its influence on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) practices. The phenomenological study adopted semi-structured interviews involving engaged workers until saturation. Additional 22 workers participated in validating the trust framework. Findings suggest that no worker perceived lack of trust within their organisations. Two workers perceived their own skill, knowledge and experience and that of other workers to work safely (as far as level 2); but do not perceive their organisation to genuinely care or exhibit elements of company integrity. Six workers perceived the presence of ability and genuine benevolence qualities within their workplace (as far as level 3). However, they identified lack of company integrity from their managers or supervisors, and that management often not do what they say regarding OSH practices at all times. Fourteen workers perceived the presence of ability, genuine benevolence and company integrity qualities (as far as level 4), and that the management adhere to a set of principles that they find acceptable and consistent. These workers also perceive their workplaces to have a strong and transparent organisational leadership and integrity. This study of workplace trust is part of a wider study involving the development of a Worker Engagement Maturity Model and a prototype mobile digital tool which would be useful for assessing existing workforce engagement towards improving OSH practices.
The non-routine practice of wind turbine height safety and rescue skills after training has significant impact on the competency and health and safety of construction and maintenance technicians. The proposition is that wind technicians who undertake initial training without practically carrying out hands-on rescue roles are most likely to forget the procedural steps during emergencies except there is an early refresher practice integrated within the system. Longitudinal study of 30 (subsample) wind technicians using Job Knowledge Test (JKT), hands-on practice test with Situational Judgment Test (SJT) and pictograph of the rescue device was employed. While the level of performance of wind technicians improved during acquisition, there was observed decline in performances over one and three month non-practice intervals. This confirms the significance of integrating early refresher practice of rescue and evacuation skills and the factors influencing the competence of the technicians over these timescale. To improve the competency of technicians and reduce the risk of injury or failed rescue, actual timescales have been identified showing that early refresher practice should be undertaken at three months after acquisition for returning technicians and within one month for new technicians.
Purpose This study identifies that bricklaying trade has not benefited much from off-site production, and bricklaying has been highlighted as a trade significantly affected by the documented skills shortage in Scotland with 66% of small and medium enterprises reporting difficulties in recruiting bricklayers. Design/methodology/approach This study used an interpretivistic philosophy adopting the phenomenological qualitative research approach using purposeful sampling technique and semi-structured interviews to allow for emergent themes to develop. The theory of proximal similarity that connects the study’s characteristics and the characteristics of the group under study was adopted. Findings Findings from the emergent themes identified issues grouped into key themes such as inconsistency of income, lack of care and self-employed workforce. The sub-themes included the Scottish climate, risk and profit, physical strain and government expectations and the cost of innovation. These were considered in relation to their existing and future implications for the industry. Research limitations/implications A wider and more diverse group of industry participants from different parts of Scotland would have made the study more representative. Practical implications It is imperative that the Scottish construction industry supports, develops and trains future bricklayers capable of maintaining existing housing stock and to deliver on future construction projects in Scotland. Originality/value This study explores the shortage of skilled bricklayers within the Scottish construction sector.
Purpose: This paper reports the results of an analysis of a subset of data from a larger study on skill decay. It evaluates the performance levels of wind technicians at one and three months on safety critical steps using Situational Judgement Tests (SJT) and Job Knowledge Tests (JKT) to assess their emergency rescue and evacuation proficiency.Design/methodology/approach: The research design is a repeat measures study (longitudinal), using SJT and JKT to assess job-specific knowledge; the extent of knowledge technicians acquired regarding effective and ineffective courses of action in job-related situations; assessing a variety of situations; and measure various kinds of procedural knowledge such as critical decision-making situations. It measured procedural knowledge in addition to aspects of declarative knowledge and fluid abilities and this was considered as a good predictor of performance for wind technicians. Findings:The results show that rescue and evacuation skills decay at one and three months after the wind turbine rescue and evacuation training with 47% and 20% of technicians experiencing such decay in their skills and knowledge. However, relying only on the high knowledge proficiency gives a false sense of security in terms of overall procedural competence of the technicians. This study demonstrates to what extent new technicians struggle to sustain their competence without any form of practice. Practical implications:This study reaffirms that the commonly used rescue device lack task steps that are cued by the previous sequence of steps or by the equipment. Therefore, technicians tend to easily forget some of the procedural and safety critical steps that are inherent to the device. These findings have practical implications for activities involving rescue and evacuation of workers, e.g. crane driver rescue. Research implications:The implementation of SJT and JKT in this study indicates that skill decay takes place within the first four weeks after acquisition. Likewise, job knowledge is more resistant to decay as compared to skill tasks over the three months retention time frame for both refresher and new wind technicians.Originality/value: The results of this paper build on existing knowledge by extending SJT and JKT theory to field-based applications within the wind energy.
Purpose Emotional intelligence (EI) and conflict management (CM) are essential skills for construction managers towards achieving organisational effectiveness. It is believed that an individual’s EI level (EIL) is a predictor of the preferred CM styles (CMS). This study aims to explore the relationships between EIL, preferred CMS and demographic factors in the construction sector of the Dominican Republic (DR). Design/methodology/approach The EIL and CMS of a sample of civil engineers in managerial positions were evaluated using the emotional intelligence appraisal and Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II self-assessment tools. Findings There was a strong positive correlation between the rated EIL and the scores of collaboration and compromise styles, i.e. participants with higher EIL have stronger fit within the collaboration and compromise styles of managing conflicts. For participants with lower EIL, collaboration and compromise styles were also top preferences, but with no statistical significance. Significant relationships existed between gender, collaboration and compromise styles and between work experience and collaboration style. No significant relationship between demographics and EIL. Practical implications The construction industry needs innovative construction managers whose CMS and EIL are compatible with the culture and overall organisational objectives. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study appraising the EI and CMS of civil engineers working in DR construction industry.
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