Identification of Significant Factors Influencing Performance of Road Construction Industry Using Factor Analysis

Abstract

This study is aimed at identifying the significant factors affecting the performance of road construction projects in Sri Lanka using factor analysis. Data collected using a questionnaire distributed among thirty engineers working in the road construction industry in Sri Lanka who represent the engineer and the contractor organizations. A list of 130 factors influencing performance of road construction industry have been identified & included in the questionnaire and all thirty engineers responded and returned the questionnaire. Participants were requested to allocate marks from 1-5 (1-very poor influence; 2-poor influence; 3-average influence; 4-high influence; 5-very high influence) to each factor according to their knowledge. Factors influencing performance of the road construction contracts have been ranked based on average score initially. Significant factors influencing the performance have been identified using factor analysis and they were: conducting progress review meetings and site inspections at appropriate intervals; previous experience of the construction team working on similar project; effective monitoring and feedback by the construction manager; availability of skilled construction labour; engineer's ability to analyze contractor's claims fair and reasonable manner; making payment for Interim Payment Certificates within reasonable time (2 weeks); quick response by the contractor to employers and engineer's requests and instructions; certification of the Interim Payment Certificates by the engineer within a reasonable time (2 weeks) and timely submission of the Interim Payment Certificates by the contractor.