Organizational Behavior in Construction Management

Introduction to Organizational Behavior in Construction Companies

• Audience: Post-graduate management students
• Time: 30 minutes
• Format: Group discussion and quiz

Organizational Behavior

• Definition: Study of how individuals and teams behave within an organization.
• Construction Example: How workers on a construction team collaborate on-site.

Importance of Organizational Behavior in Construction

• Impacts: Project success, teamwork, and safety on construction sites.
• Example: Delays due to poor communication between site managers and laborers.

Core Elements of Organizational Behavior

• Individuals
• Groups
• Organizational structure
• Example: How a project manager influences a construction team's output.

Motivation in Construction Projects

• Reasoning: Why construction workers perform.
• Example: Bonuses for completing projects ahead of schedule.
• Theories of Motivation: Maslow's Hierarchy

Leadership in Construction Companies

• Effectiveness: Effective leadership drives team performance.
• Example: A foreman's leadership on-site to ensure high productivity.
• Theories: Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory (Safety improvements motivating workers)

Leadership Styles in Construction

• Types:
  • Transformational (encouraging innovation in construction methods)
  • Transactional

Group Dynamics on Construction Sites

• Collaboration: How teams collaborate under pressure.
• Example: Problem-solving during unforeseen delays on-site.

Communication in Construction

• Clarity: Clear communication prevents costly errors.
• Example: Misunderstandings between engineers and subcontractors leading to rework.

Decision-Making in Construction

• Impact: How decisions affect project timelines and costs.
• Example: Choosing between two suppliers based on cost and quality.

Organizational Culture in Construction

• Values: Shared values shaping project execution.
• Example: A safety-first culture on construction sites.

Managing Change in Construction

• Adaptability: Adapting to new technology or regulations.
• Example: Implementing new project management software.

Organizational Behavior and Safety

• Culture: A positive culture ensures worker safety.
• Example: High safety standards reduce accident rates in construction firms.

Case Study Example

• Project: Burj Khalifa project
• Focus: Organizational behavior shaping the success of the large-scale construction project.

Discussion Prompt

• Question: How can understanding organizational behavior improve leadership on construction sites?

Quiz Time

• Focus: Motivation, leadership styles, and group dynamics in construction.